Westminster College received the largest gift in its history through a $7 million bequest from alumna Helen Louise Lemmon. The extraordinary contribution endows The Lemmon Family Scholarship, which supports Westminster students pursuing careers in the sciences.
The Lemmon Family Scholarship reflects Westminster’s long-standing excellence in the sciences, particularly in biology-related fields—the College’s fastest-growing academic area. Westminster students engage in hands-on research with faculty mentors, present at national conferences, and complete senior capstone projects that develop critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Recognized by Forbes.com as one of the best colleges in the nation for women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), Westminster also boasts medical school acceptance rates that are double the national average.
All Westminster students benefit from a liberal studies core curriculum that encourages intellectual curiosity, ethical leadership, and a lifelong commitment to learning and service.
The Lemmon Family Scholarship, dedicated to students in the sciences, stands as a lasting testament to the power of education and the generosity of Westminster alumni who believe in supporting future Titans.
The previous largest gift to Westminster was $3 million from Andrew McKelvey to help construct the Andrew J. McKelvey Campus center in 2003.
About the Lemmon Family
Margaret "Peggy" Lemmon Janisse, Martha Jane Lemmon, and Helen Louise Lemmon were the daughters of George Steele Lemmon, a chemist with Teledyne Vasco Company in Latrobe, and June Saxman Lemmon, an accomplished artist. The Lemmon sisters were raised with a healthy respect for higher education, a genuine appreciation for hard work, and an understanding of philanthropic responsibility.
Louise entered Westminster College in 1938 and completed two full years of study with a major in secretarial science and worked as secretary to the president of Allegheny Steel. Peggy completed three years at Westminster.
Following the death of their parents and the death of Peggy's husband, the two sisters returned to the family home in Latrobe to care for their sister. Louise retired in 1962, while Peggy worked in interior design and as a volunteer for Pittsburgh Children's Hospital. Peggy passed away in 2010 and Louise died in 2011.