UCL Arts & Humanities receives over £400,000 in philanthropic gifts

Philanthropic gifts are essential in advancing the work of UCL Arts & Humanities, enabling groundbreaking research and creative exploration across a wide range of disciplines. These generous contributions help fund innovative projects, support academic staff and students, and ensure that our faculty’s vital work continues to thrive. We are grateful to those who have chosen to leave a legacy to the faculty—their support has a lasting and transformative impact on our community and the world beyond. 

“At UCL Arts & Humanities, we provide world-leading, transformational arts and humanities education and research, and the generous philanthropic gifts we receive are vital to sustaining and advancing this important work. We are profoundly grateful to our supporters for sharing in our vision and enabling us to make a lasting and meaningful difference.”

Professor Stella Bruzzi, Executive Dean, UCL Arts & Humanities  

The Centre for Health Humanities was left £260k by Patricia Rosson in her will. Patricia was predeceased by her husband Kenneth A. Rosson who was a UCL alumnus, having studied for a BA in Classics graduating in 1952.  The gift was made to the Centre in memory of Professor Jacob I. Fabrikant of the University of California, Berkley. Patricia left her estate split evenly between a mix of five different charities including animal and education organisations.  

 “This generous gift has expanded the work of the Centre for Health Humanities, supporting health-related research within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. So far, it has been used to establish the Jacob Fabrikant Creative Fellowships, bringing two artists in to work with the Centre on projects related to sensory experiences of healthcare. We have also launched a seed fund to support Health Humanities events and collaborations in the wider faculty, enabling knowledge exchange across the faculty.”

Dr Leah Sidi, Professor Sonu Shamdasani and Professor James Wilson, Co-Directors, UCL Health Humanities Centre.  

UCL Greek & Latin has been bequeathed with £130k in will from Carol Handley. Ms Handley left 10% of her estate to the department, having graduated with a BA in Classics from UCL in 1951 and subsequently going on to an illustrious career in teaching of Classics. Ms Handley also had a longstanding personal connection with UCL: her husband, Eric Handley, was Professor of Greek at UCL from 1968 to 1984.  

“The Department of Greek and Latin is immensely grateful for this fantastic and generous gift from the estate of Carol Handley.  Ms Handley was an influential teacher and classical scholar.  She was the Head of Camden School for Girls and the President of the Classical Association and an indefatigable advocate of Greek and Latin studies.  We’re touched that she remembered us all these years after her graduation from UCL and set us down as a beneficiary in her will.  Her gift will allow us to promote the study of ancient Greece and Rome.  We are planning to use it to support our many outreach activities, schools workshops, the annual classical play, seminars, and conferences.”

Professor Phiroze Vasunia, Head of UCL Greek & Latin. 

UCL Hebrew & Jewish Studies received a lifetime donation of $20,000 from Sandra and Nathan Kahn.  Dr Nathan Kahn is a PhD alumnus and this donation from himself and Sandra Kahn is to assist with financial support for Hebrew and Jewish Studies MA students.  

“Thanks to a generous donation of $ 20,000 from Dr Nathan Kahn, a PhD alumnus of the Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies, the Department was able to establish a Graduate Student Hardship fund. It supports both MA and MPhil/PhD students who face unexpected financial challenges, more and more frequent due to the present cost of living crisis. It helps HJS graduate students to pursue their studies uninterrupted and to fulfil their potential despite these current challenges."

Professor François Guesnet, UCL Hebrew & Jewish Studies Graduate Tutor. 

Find out more about UCL Giving, the impact Philanthropic gifts have on UCL, and how you can support us.  

Links 

• UCL Giving – Philanthropic Gifting  
• UCL Centre for Health Humanities  
• UCL Greek & Latin  
• UCL Hebrew & Jewish Studies