Academy Award–winning writer, director, and playwright Aaron Sorkin (right) in conversation with beloved theater educator Krista Carson Elhai (left) during a Scripps Presents event.
By Kendra Pintor
In 2021, Patricia Van Every—an esteemed and beloved friend of the College—passed away peacefully in Santa Barbara. Her family’s legacy will live on at Scripps and continue to make a profound impact on the academic experience of current and future students.
In honor of this legacy, Matthew Grossman—long-time advisor and trustee to Van Every’s brother, Donald Leahy—coordinated with Van Every’s children and College leadership to gift $1 million in support of Scripps Presents.
“Patricia loved the College, absolutely loved it,” reflects Grossman. “I wanted to do something that would ensure that her name would live on in perpetuity, and in a way that she would be excited about, too.”
Scripps Presents, established in 2016, is the College’s signature public events program. It fosters intellectual curiosity and facilitates engaging discourse within the community by bringing thought-provoking conversations, captivating performances, and insightful presentations to campus. These events have included esteemed guests like academy award-winning writer, director, and playwright Aaron Sorkin; Paralympic athlete and founder of the Born to Run Foundation Noelle Lambert; and PhD candidate at Stanford University and biological oceanographer Stephanie Lim.
“Scripps Presents isn’t just about events; it’s about fostering a culture of curiosity, empathy, and dialogue, enriching the academic landscape, and transforming lives within the vibrant tapestry of Scripps College,” says Director of Events and Conference Services Marcy Robinson.
“After discussing it with her children, we decided that a gift to Scripps Presents would be a great way to honor Patricia,” says Grossman. “We also wanted to ensure that whatever amount was given would be enough to allow the program to fully fund the cost of inviting several speakers to the College and thus enhance the breadth of academic experience for Scripps students.”
In 2006, Leahy and Van Every generously gifted $800k to endow eight Leahy Scholars each year in perpetuity through the Leahy New Generation Scholarship. This is just one example of the family’s long-standing relationship with the College and their efforts to support students.
“Landmarks and dedications can, over time, fade away,” says Grossman. “With this gift to Scripps Presents, it is my hope that Patricia’s legacy will live on at the College for a long, long time.”
To enrich the student experience at Scripps, please consider making a gift here.