University of Vermont Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert Carlson and his wife Donna understand the importance of developing future educational leaders in Vermont and beyond. In late 2015, to demonstrate the importance, they created the Robert V. and Donna M. Carlson Scholarship in the College of Education and Social Services. "This gift will provide scholarships in support of the development of outstanding leaders in Vermont in perpetuity," said Cindy Gerstl-Pepin, associate dean of the College of Education and Social Services. Each year the scholarship will benefit a Vermont student enrolled at UVM in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies doctoral program, also known as Ed.D. Preference will be given to those who hold a leadership role within the educational community in Vermont, including schools, colleges, universities and social service organizations.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind this generous gift, Dr. Carlson shared his thoughts. “Over our lifespan, Donna and I have been givers to a variety of good causes both financially and as volunteers. When we were thinking about what would we like to leave as a philanthropic legacy to others, we crystalized on the idea of a scholarship at UVM. I have served as the director of the doctoral program in Educational Leadership during my stint at UVM and this seemed to be a natural choice in which to establish a scholarship program. Personally I have benefited from scholarship aid in my doctoral studies and know how financial support can make a difference in fulfilling one’s aspirations for graduate studies. The scholarship program is our way of giving back to UVM what this fine institution gave to us over the 25 years that we lived in Burlington.  We look forward to meeting those who might benefit from this opportunity," he said.

Dr. Carlson has a storied history at UVM. In collaboration with his colleagues, he founded and was the original director of the doctoral program in the College of Education and Social Services. He was also a founding member of the Master’s in Public Administration program at UVM. Robert holds an Ed.D. from the University of Rochester, a master’s degree with high honors from SUNY Brockport, and bachelor's degree from SUNY at Buffalo State. Robert has been a classroom teacher, elementary school principal, and lab school administrator at the University of Iowa. Donna graduated Magna Cum Laude from SUNY at Buffalo State and pursued graduate courses in the area of disability. She was elected to the Kappa Delta Pi honor society in education. Donna is a retired educator who formerly taught in Rochester and West Irondequoit school districts in New York, the Hospital School at the University of Iowa, and in the South Burlington School District and at the Baird School for students with emotional and behavioral challenges in Vermont. 

"We thank the Carlson's for their generosity on behalf of the next generation of leaders as they tackle pressing educational and social issues in Vermont," said Gerstl-Pepin.