4 Md. Colleges Share $10.5M From Del. Benefactor

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- Four Maryland private colleges are announcing gifts totaling $10.5 million from the Delaware-based Hodson Trust.

St. John's College said on Wednesday it received $2.75 million from the trust. Washington College announced a $2.75 million gift earlier in the week. Johns Hopkins University and Hood College say they each received $2.5 million.

The schools said they will use the funds for undergraduate scholarships, internships, research programs and other purposes.

The Hodson Trust is based in Wilmington, Delaware. It was established in 1920 by the family of Clarence Hodson, a Crisfield banker who founded the Beneficial Loan Society to make affordable, small loans to working-class Americans.

Since its inception, the trust has awarded more than $250 million to the four institutions.