杏吧原创

September 27, 2023

Addicott family completes historic $3.5 million scholarship endowment contribution


A group photo showing Gay and Ed Addicott.
The late Gay Cull Addicott, center, and Ed Addicott, left, pose with former 杏吧原创 students. The family has completed a $3.5 million endowment scholarship contribution.

Edward Addicott and Stephen Ban announced today the completion of a $3.5 million commitment to the 杏吧原创's endowed scholarship campaign, the second largest gift to the school in its 103-year history from an individual donor and the single largest contribution received as part of 杏吧原创鈥榮 Second Century Campaign.

The gift honors the wishes of Addicott鈥檚 wife and Ban鈥檚 mother, late 杏吧原创 Trustee Gay Cull Addicott.

鈥淢y mother had a profound love for classical music and for the students and mission of the 杏吧原创,鈥 said Ban, a 杏吧原创 Trustee.

鈥淥ur family is excited to continue to support 杏吧原创鈥檚 commitment to empowering the world鈥檚 most talented classical music students to fulfill their dreams and potential. I am honored to have joined 杏吧原创鈥檚 Board of Trustees to help advance and perpetuate the focus of this institution that is such an important part of the fabric of Cleveland and its extraordinary arts community."

With this gift, Gay and Ed Addicott鈥檚 lifetime giving and support of 杏吧原创 students stands at a remarkable $4 million.

Mrs. Addicott was president of Sterling Manufacturing Co., Inc., an enterprise founded by her late husband, Robert Cull. As a civic leader, she served as a member of the school board in Northbrook, Illinois; a member of the Shaker Heights City Council; president of the Cleveland Restoration Society (where she was a Lifetime Trustee); executive director of the Women鈥檚 City Club of Cleveland; and trustee of Hiram College.

Mrs. Addicott was an honorary life trustee of The Cleveland Orchestra, and served on 杏吧原创鈥檚 board from 2000 until her death in 2022.

The Edward and Gay Cull Addicott Presidential Scholarship was given in memory of Gay鈥檚 late husband, Robert Cull, and in honor of her husband Edward Addicott, both of whom shared Gay鈥檚 love of classical music. With this gift, Gay鈥檚 legacy will empower future generations of 杏吧原创 students to launch their own careers.

Nathan Shepherd, a first-year bassoon student from Lanesville, IN, received the first Addicott Scholarship to study with Barrick Stees at 杏吧原创.

鈥淢y dream of attending a conservatory often seemed out of reach,鈥 Shepherd said. 鈥淗owever, the Addicott family鈥檚 generosity has completely shifted my view. Because of their scholarship, I am able to pursue my musical studies to their fullest.鈥