$3-Million Donor Demands Money Back
from Boston University
Philanthropist David Mugar, who gave $3 million to Boston University in 1993 toward the expansion of the school’s main library, has threatened to sue if the university does not return his money, along with $1-to-$2 million in interest.
Officials admit the donation was never applied toward Mugar Memorial Library—named for Mugar’s grandparents and funded by an earlier family gift—since the expansion project had been on hold for several years. Mugar said he was told the money had been “lost” among university funds because of poor accounting, the Boston Globe reported December 11.
In October, Mugar rejected an offer from university chancellor John Silber to name a new dormitory or theater after him instead. “I only made this donation because it’s my father’s name,” said Mugar, who did not attend the school.
The university “has been very apologetic about losing my money, but regardless, I want my money back,” he said. Mugar is a longtime organizer of Boston’s Fourth of July concert and fireworks.
Posted December 16, 2002.
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