Berklee Receives Largest Financial Gift in College's History

Thanks to the generosity of one man, Berklee College of Music received its largest donation in its history this week. 

Oliver Dyer Colvin, Jr., who often listened to the music of Berklee students, died in the summer of 2011. Colvin left $8.1 million in his will to the college, the largest gift ever received by Berklee, and the largest gift made to any institution for arts education so far this year, according to the Council for Aid to Education, a national source of information on private giving to higher education.  

A statement from Berklee said that Colvin loved the music made by the students at Berklee College of Music.

"Throughout the years, he spent many evenings in Berklee’s Performance Center and recital halls, listening to students from all over the world perform jazz, his preference, and many other styles," the statement said. "The Cambridge resident’s affinity for the students and their music was acknowledged in his will."

Colvin died in the summer of 2011 at age 84. He was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and served with distinction as a naval officer during the Korean War, in the capacity of a Boat Wave Commander of landing craft that brought soldiers and marines ashore at Inchon on the Korean coast. After leaving the Navy, he worked at Sylvania Electric Products Inc., and later at International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation. Colvin worked on defense contracts involving weapons systems and achieved Top Secret Security Clearance.  He went on to serve as Chairman of Cargocaire Engineering Corporation, a family owned business based in Amesbury, Massachusetts that designs and builds de-humidification units that protect ships and cargo from moisture damage.

In recognition of Colvin’s gift, the college will name one of its recital halls for him. A busy, 100-seat performance hall on the first floor of Berklee’s 1140 Boylston Street building will be named the Oliver Colvin Room. His name will appear on the exterior wall of the space that is host to student performances, clinics from renowned visiting artists, and classes taught by Berklee’s faculty.

“Mr. Colvin loved to come hear Berklee students perform and, with this gift, he has helped us guarantee that the next generation of talented musicians will continue to advance the jazz tradition he enjoyed so much,” said Berklee College of Music President Roger Brown. “We are deeply grateful for his generosity.” 

FENWAY-KENMORE PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates