Esther and Carl Gerstacker Science Hall

College graduates often have strong ties to their alma maters, and Esther Gerstacker is no exception. As a former chemistry student of Hiram College, she understood the financial challenge for small colleges to keep their science facilities safe and current. To address this challenge, the Gerstacker Foundation has supported Hiram College with more than $3.3 million in grants and pledges.

In 1988, for example, the Foundation established the Esther S. Gerstacker Hiram College Scholarship to encourage Midland students to attend Hiram and to motivate others to start similar scholarships. In 1993, the Foundation helped support a new campus library.  More recently, a $2.5 million commitment from the Foundation enabled the college to complete a $6.2 million state-of-the-art Esther and Carl Gerstacker Science Hall.

“The Rollin Gerstacker Foundation has been instrumental in promoting student learning  and achievement through investments in state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and library facilities and scholarship support for those in need,” said Patrick S. Roberts, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations.