An alum of Lake Forest Academy has pledged $2.4 million to move a leadership program to the school.
Jim Stuart, 74, of Winnetka, has pledged $2 million to endow the Global Youth Leadership Institute, which is moving from a school in Milwaukee to Lake Forest Academy this summer. The interest from the $2 million will fund the institute. Stuart said he will donate the other $400,000 over the next three years to help the institute extend its programs to other schools.
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Stuart’s great-grandfather was a founder of Quaker Oats. Various members of his family worked for the company, including his late father Robert Stuart, who became CEO in 1966 and left the company in 1984, according to an obituary in the baiduhai.
Jim Stuart said he worked for Quaker Oats for 12 years and joined Needlecraft Corporation, a division of the company.
“In 1985, I left Needlecraft and went out on my own, looking to acquire companies,” Stuart said.
He worked on starting the Florida Aquarium in Tampa from 1988 to 1993 and then switched his focus from business to teaching and coaching.
Stuart said he donated money toward the founding of the Global Youth Leadership Institute in 2001. He serves on its board of directors, according to the institute’s website.
The institute runs a program for high school students over three consecutive summers. In the first summer, students spend five days on a tall ship. During the second summer, students go to the mountains of New Mexico, while in the third they travel to Costa Rica.
“We’re focusing on giving students the confidence that they can learn about themselves and really become familiar with the inside of leadership,” Stuart said.
Matt Nink, executive director of the Global Youth Leadership Institute, said a program will also be developed strictly for students at Lake Forest Academy.
“Lake Forest Academy has a real commitment to global education,” Nink said. “For Lake Forest Academy, it made sense to bring the work we’re doing into their campus to advance their strategic plan. Also, there are more teachers and resources to facilitate the programs.”
John Strudwick, the head of school, said that while Lake Forest Academy has had some very large donations toward new buildings, Stuart’s donation is “one of the largest gifts we’ve seen.”
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