Gertrude Ehrlich, a Jewish refugee who fled Nazi controlled Austria and later became one of Georgia College’s first international students, died last month in Gaithersburg at 102 after a long career as a professor and author.
Her estate left a record nine million dollar gift to Georgia College & State University to fund need based scholarships, honoring the support she received there as a young refugee. Full press release below courtesy George College:
“When Dr. Gertrude Ehrlich fled Nazi-controlled Austria with her family in 1939, she found an educational haven in Georgia College & State University (then called Georgia State College for Women). Refugee Gertrude Ehrlich attended Georgia College on a scholarship; she repaid that kindness with a $9 million bequest.Supported by scholarship funding, Ehrlich became one of the university’s first international students, earned her bachelor’s degree then enjoyed a long career as a professor and textbook author. The class of 1943 alumna died last month in Gaithersburg, Maryland, at 102 years old, but her legacy will live on through a $9 million donation from her estate to the university —the largest gift in the institution’s 136-year history. The funds will be used solely to support students in need…