In Remembrance of Ann Richards

The George and Ann Richards Civil War Era Center has lost a friend whose leadership and philanthropy played a major role in its attainment of leadership in the liberal arts. Ann Marie Stiegler Richards of Simsbury, Conn., died Jan. 26, 2013, at the age of 78 from injuries related to a fall.

She and her husband, George, a 1954 graduate of Penn State, made a significant gift to the Civil War Era Center in 2002, providing critical funding for graduate students and faculty research, as well as outreach programs for students and teachers. Because of the magnitude of the Richards' gift, Penn State elected to name the Center in their honor. Today, the George and Ann Richards Civil War Era Center is a leader in the study of America's struggles for freedom.

George and Ann also established a Trustee Scholarship in Honor of Dean Susan Welch in the College of the Liberal Arts. In the College of Communications, they endowed the Bart Richards Award in Media Criticism to honor George's father. Their generosity has greatly enriched the scholarship of Penn State students and faculty and has contributed to a rich legacy of intellectual achievement at the university.

George and Ann Richards Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated March 14, 2013