Edward Merrin was recently interviewed for a Chronicle of Philanthropy story. It ran in yesterday’s online edition of the publication concerning Edward Merrin’s support Tufts’ scholarship fund. On the matter of what form donations to educational institutions usually take, he was quoted as saying:

“There are a group of people who give to have their names on buildings, and that’s the easiest place to have your name on a building. It’s considerably cheaper than Lincoln Center,” says Edward H. Merrin, an art dealer who, with his wife, Vivian, were No. 33 on The Chronicle’s list of top donors for their gift to Tufts University, in Medford, Mass.

But like a handful of university donors in 2010, the Merrins earmarked their money not for a building but for scholarships. Mr. Merrin—who, like his children, is a graduate of Tufts—cited the opportunity to change young people’s lives as influencing his gift.

The donor [Edward Merrin] said that at a meeting of board members, he heard stories of bright young students who could not afford Tufts: “If you’ve ever seen a board of directors weep, that was it.”