$10 million gift to school from philanthropist Ravenel B. Curry III anchors a forthcoming $150 million capital campaign and positions university to reimagine the future of liberal arts education at scale

In a powerful affirmation of the lasting bond between education and leadership, investor and philanthropist Ravenel B. Curry III has made a landmark $10 million lead gift to his alma mater—one that promises to echo across generations of scholars, educators, and changemakers.

Curry graduated in the Class of 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University.

He later earned his M.B.A. from the University of Virginia. Ravenel began his investment career as a security analyst at Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, was formerly a partner at H.C. Wainwright, and later served as the portfolio manager of the Duke Endowment.

He is the founder, chairman, and co-CIO of Eagle Capital Management, LLC.

Widely respected as co-founder of Eagle Capital Management and a longtime champion of educational access, Curry is no stranger to philanthropy.

He has consistently given back: establishing scholarship funds at HBCUs, backing professorships, and supporting educational reform with a deep sense of values-driven stewardship.

Among his leadership roles, he serves as a trustee of the Manhattan Institute, the American Enterprise Institute, the New-York Historical Society, and the Duke Endowment, and trustee emeritus of Success Academy, Furman University, and the New York Hall of Science.

He is a former trustee of the Greenwood Genetic Center, former chairman of the New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

A proud graduate, Curry has long exemplified the ethos of purposeful leadership.

While his success in finance is well-documented, his actual influence may be best measured by the quiet, consistent way he gives.

For Curry, the $10 million gift is more than a gesture of generosity: it is a reflection of gratitude, a statement of belief, and a call to action.

“My education changed the trajectory of my life,” Curry shared. “It gave me the intellectual foundation and moral compass that shaped every step of my journey. This gift is a way of giving back—and a way of investing in young minds who will, in turn, shape the future.”

This is his most significant gift to date—anchoring a forthcoming $150 million capital campaign and positioning the university to reimagine the future of liberal arts education on a larger scale.

The funds will be directed toward faculty excellence, need-based financial aid, and the transformation of key learning environments—supporting endowed professorships, expanded scholarship opportunities, and state-of-the-art academic spaces designed for the next generation of interdisciplinary thinkers.

“Ravenel Curry’s generosity is not only a testament to his enduring belief in the power of education,” said the university’s president, “it is a challenge and invitation to the broader alumni community to reimagine what’s possible.”

This latest act of generosity will also be honored physically: the university has announced it will name a central academic building in Curry’s honor, cementing his legacy on campus and in the lives of every student who walks its halls.

This story is a vivid reminder that impact is not only measured by the size of a gift but by the intention behind it. Curry puts it best: “I believe we’re here not just to succeed. We’re here to make a difference. And for me, it starts with giving others the tools to think freely, act wisely, and live meaningfully.”

The university will share additional details about the campaign and forthcoming initiatives in the coming months.