Barnard College today announced a transformative $9.5 million bequest from Hilma Ollila Carter ’45, a devoted alumna, educator, and longtime supporter of the College. The gift, one of the largest bequests in Barnard’s history, will help advance Barnard’s mission of providing bold and talented students from all backgrounds with access to a world-class education.
Carter passed away on December 6, 2024, at the age of 103. Throughout her life, she was a devoted alumna of the College, and provided scholarship support through the “Hilma Ollila Carter and Benny Carter Scholarship Fund.”
“Hilma O. Carter was a smart, tenacious alumna whose love for her education inspired her to create more opportunities for future generations,” said Barnard President Laura Ann Rosenbury. “This generous bequest, alongside her decades of philanthropic giving, are a reflection of the woman she was — someone who believed that education could unlock a person’s highest potential, that women should help women to succeed, and that we should all strive to do good in the world.”
Carter was born in Jersey City on March 4, 1921, and lived in a small farming town in Connecticut until her teenage years. At Barnard, she studied Spanish and was heavily involved in Barnard Theatre, participating in several productions as both a cast member and production staff. In 1944, Barnard’s junior class produced a yearbook that included brief vignettes to record each student. For Carter: “Enthusiastic Spanish major… adores her department… plans to teach… and help the betterment of the world… individualist, believes in practicing democracy.”
After graduating from Barnard, Carter went on to earn a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and began her career in education, teaching high school Spanish in New York for over 20 years. Later in life, she was introduced to the acclaimed musician Benny Carter — an “unmatched” jazz artist, according to The New York Times. The couple married in 1979 and remained together until his passing in 2003.
Carter often said that attending Barnard was the best thing that happened to her. After moving to Southern California, she became a founding member of the Barnard Club of Los Angeles. Her engagement transformed the organization into one of the College’s most active and productive regional clubs, and her service as treasurer led to the establishment of a scholarship fund for undergraduates from Southern California. In 2001, Columbia awarded Carter the Alumni Medal for distinguished service to the University.
“Hilma Carter was a dear friend of mine for over three decades,” said Jillian Kauff, her estate executor. “She was a very intellectual person who was passionate about many things, from eating well and exercise to reading and education, and she loved her husband Benny deeply. She cared a great deal about Barnard College, which provided her with a scholarship when she was a student and enabled her to have a great start to her teaching career. She wanted to provide more students with the type of support she received.”
The “Hilma Ollila Carter and Benny Carter Scholarship Fund,” endowed in 2012, continues to support Barnard students today.
“The Hilma Ollila Carter and Benny Carter Scholarship has supported me with meaningful experiences and opportunities that I otherwise would not have been able to afford,” said Alyssa Hong ’28, who plans to major in political science and study abroad in Fall 2026. “At Barnard, I’ve received a one-of-a-kind education with access to state-of-the-art opportunities, resources, and institutions. I cannot put into words how grateful I am—it is a dream come true.”
