The University of Missouri–St. Louis will establish the David and Thelma Steward Institute for Jazz Studies with a gift of $1.3 million over four years from the Steward Family Foundation.
It is hoped the institute can be the educational foundation that helps solidify St. Louis’ place as a center for jazz throughout the country by providing students interested in jazz a place to turn for exceptional academic training and performance.
“UMSL is grateful for the tremendous generosity of the Stewards,” UMSL Chancellor Tom George said. “For 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of knowing David and Thelma Steward, and one of our shared interests has always been jazz. Our jazz studies program has seen tremendous growth under the leadership of Jim Widner, and with the help of the Stewards’ philanthropy, we will be able to take it to even greater heights for the benefit of our students.”
The Steward family has long supported jazz in St. Louis. They were instrumental in building Jazz St. Louis’ home in Grand Center – a building named The Harold & Dorothy Steward Center in honor of David Steward’s parents.
“Thelma and I are excited to work with UMSL around our shared passion for jazz and education and make this initial investment to establish the institute,” said David Steward, founder and chairman of World Wide Technology and a former member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators. “We intend to pursue future gifts to exceed $8.1 million in conjunction with UMSL, Jazz St. Louis and the business community to ensure perpetual growth and a sustainable impact to the education of St. Louis children and beyond. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. Luke 6:38”
The David and Thelma Steward Institute for Jazz Studies will enhance UMSL’s ability to recruit and cultivate students interested in jazz, including those from underrepresented minority communities across the St. Louis region and beyond.
The Stewards’ gift will also support scholarships, artists-in-residence, travels funds to advance jazz education and performance and UMSL’s summer jazz camp, designed for high-potential instrumental students in grades 7-12 who have the opportunity to learn more about jazz style, improvisation and performance.
“Amazing opportunities are ahead for our jazz students as a great program will now be made even greater,” said Jim Widner, director of jazz studies. “This tremendous gift from the Steward Family Foundation is going to help make UMSL an epicenter for jazz studies.”
