Colorado College (CC) has announced an $18 million gift from the estate of alumnus William Clement (’42), who died in 2022.

The largest cash gift in the college’s history is unrestricted. According to the college, $16 million will fund an endowment for financial aid while the remaining $2 million will establish the Clement Challenge, a matching vehicle named after the donor. Through the end of this year, donors can be a part of the Clement Challenge and double their effect against one of several annual giving areas with a match of support allocated from the Clement bequest.

Clement attended CC on a scholarship funded by Illinois-area alumni. He served as editor-in-chief for the Tiger, CC’s school newspaper at the time, and was an active member of the debate team, swim team, and thespian group.

“We are immensely grateful to Mr. Clement for this gift and the impact it will have in propelling student opportunities,” said CC president L. Song Richardson. “Such a commitment allows us to continue welcoming talented and ambitious students to CC and providing them with the support they need to thrive once here. We hear from CC alumni and their employers alike about the ‘superpowers’ our graduates have—the ability to focus deeply, learn quickly, and think creatively—and we believe the world needs more leaders with these qualities. It’s exciting to think about future CC students turning their passions into meaningful impact, on campus and beyond, thanks to the generosity of a student who walked this campus before them.”

(Photo credit: Colorado College Special Collections)