According to a press release, the gift from Sumner Redstone $10 million donation to Harvard Law School for public-interest fellowships is reported to be the biggest charitable contribution that the law school has ever received in support of public service. The money will go to support students who work in public interest positions after graduation.
Sumner Redstone, 90, who graduated from Harvard College, is the majority owner and Chairman of the Board of the National Amusements theater chain. Through National Amusements, Sumner Redstone and his family are majority owners of CBS Corporation and Viacom which itself is the parent company of MTV Networks, BET, and the film studio Paramount Pictures.
Harvard Law School Dean, Martha Minow said, “We are profoundly grateful for Sumner Redstone’s magnificent gift, which will enormously strengthen our ability to encourage and support Harvard Law School graduates who wish to serve the greater good,” according to Harvard Law. You can see that here.
The Sumner M. Redstone charitable foundation has also donated money to other law schools. The foundation gave donations of $18 million to Boston University’s School of Law in September 2012, and according to the ABA Journal the foundation also gave a gift of $10 million to the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts in January 2013.
Harvard Law School has educated a significant number of leaders and innovators in the business world. In addition, Harvard Law School has also produced a large number of luminaries in law and politics including current President Barack Obama.
Image Credit: www.deadline.com