Clark University in Mass., receives the largest single in its history to promote education

Clark receives largest single gift in its history

WORCESTER, Mass. — Clark University in Massachusetts has received the largest gift in its 123-year history, a $14.2 million offering from the late head of a company that ultimately grew into one of the nation’s biggest property and casualty insurers.

University President John Bassett said Thursday that the gift from John Adam is intended to strengthen Clark’s graduate programs in education, promote college-readiness among minority students and bolster its research profile related to urban education.

The gift is part of the Ruth and Adam Education Fund that is expected to generate $600,000 annually to meet those objectives.

Adam died last year at age 94. He was CEO of Worcester-based Hanover Insurance Company, predecessor to Hanover Insurance Group Inc.

Clark is a liberal arts school that was founded in 1887 as the first all-graduate institution in the United States.