Philanthropists Ruth and Roger MacFarlane Donate $1 Million to Create Leadership Scholarship

It took over 20 years for all four of Ruth and Roger MacFarlane’s children to make their way through Chadwick School. And while their youngest finally graduated in June 2007, the MacFarlanes are not quite ready to move on. In fact, they have donated $1 million dollars to Chadwick, establishing the MacFarlane Leadership Scholarship, which will be awarded annually in perpetuity.

The MacFarlane Leadership Scholarship will be awarded to students who distinguish themselves through high academic achievement, established or emerging leadership skills and demonstrated financial need. New applicants for admission to Chadwick’s 9th grade are eligible to apply. “Chadwick is tremendously grateful to the MacFarlanes for this remarkable gift,” said headmaster Ted Hill. “It will provide a great education to some deserving students and will further enrich the school as a whole by including students of strong academic capability, character and leadership potential who could not otherwise afford to attend.”

Originally from South Africa, Ruth and Roger MacFarlane moved to Palos Verdes Estates in 1982 after living for five years in the England. Mr. MacFarlane serves as Chief Executive Officer of UTi Worldwide Inc., an international, non-asset-based global integrated logistics company. The company has facilities in 65 countries and operates in an additional 80 countries worldwide, with key offices in Los Angeles; Columbia, South Carolina; Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Johannesburg and Sydney. Mrs. MacFarlane is a member of the Roessler–Chadwick Foundation Board of Trustees and is a board member of the Beach Cities Symphony.

“We see leadership as an essential skill for today’s young people,” said Mr. MacFarlane. “Chadwick has the educational infrastructure in place that allows students myriad opportunities to take up leadership roles. In particular, Chadwick’s participation in the international Round Square program provides their students with exceptional opportunities for service projects in cooperation with other Round Square schools around the world.”

“It is our hope,” said Mrs. MacFarlane “that promising students will develop their leadership potential at Chadwick and put those skills to use in their own communities and beyond.”