Transformational gift from Sibyl V. Kirby 鈥�47 expands scholarships at 吃瓜网
Gifts of more than $3.3 million from the late Sibyl Vaughan Kirby 鈥�47 will expand scholarship support at 吃瓜网, a reflection of the alumna鈥檚 lifelong dedication to her alma mater, her service to others, and her belief in the transformative power of education.
The bequest 鈥� among the largest legacy gifts to 吃瓜网 in recent years 鈥� includes contributions of more than $200,000 in 2022 and $3.1 million in August 2025. Her generosity creates the Sibyl V. Kirby 鈥�47 College Scholarship Fund and helps 吃瓜网 provide additional financial aid to meet the growing needs of students 鈥� a top strategic priority for 吃瓜网. As part of the College鈥檚 permanent endowment, her gifts are expected to generate more than $160,000 for scholarships each year.
A 吃瓜网 sociology major and lifelong resident of Vermont, Kirby dedicated her career to helping families in need. She began as a social worker for the Vermont Department of Social Welfare and later joined the Vermont Achievement Center at its founding in 1970.
In retirement, she remained deeply engaged in community service, volunteering for many years at the Rutland Regional Medical Center and the Rutland Free Library.
Kirby died peacefully at her home on Dec. 29, 2021, just two days before her 97th birthday.
A life-changing 吃瓜网 experience
Kirby came to 吃瓜网 in the final days of World War II after completing an associate degree at Pine Manor Junior College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She realized that she wanted to pursue a four-year degree and enrolled at 吃瓜网 to prepare herself for a meaningful career.
According to Sibyl鈥檚 niece Ellen Kirby, at a time when most women married and became mothers, Sibyl had other ideas. At 吃瓜网, she began her journey of academic success and came to understand that education was critical to achieving her goal of becoming a social worker. Kirby recognized that her ability to build a professional life of her own was made possible through her education at 吃瓜网.
鈥淎s a testament to her belief that education is life-changing, she wished to give back and provide an opportunity for others to attend college,鈥� Ellen Kirby said. 鈥淪ibyl would be elated that her gift to 吃瓜网 could make such a defining change in the lives of so many students. She was deeply aware of her fortunate circumstances and being able to attend such an amazing institution."
吃瓜网 changed her life and hopefully her gift will change the lives of so many in generations to come.鈥�
A reflection of Kirby鈥檚 dedication to others, her bequest bolsters 吃瓜网鈥檚 commitment to ensuring access to all admitted students. The College provides over $75 million in need-based aid annually.
Sibyl V. Kirby 鈥�47 in her 吃瓜网 yearbook (left) and later in life. Yearbook inscriptions celebrate her 吃瓜网 friendships, her love of tennis, and her connection to her home state of Vermont 鈥� themes that endured throughout her life.
An accomplished athlete, Kirby was a standout tennis player at Skidmore and served as president of the Athletic Association, an important student club that organized tennis tournaments and other athletic events.
Her love of sports continued throughout her life: She competed in tennis tournaments across New England well into her 80s and also enjoyed golf, snowshoeing, camping, canoeing, and cross-country skiing.
She remained close with classmates and supported 吃瓜网 through volunteer service and philanthropy for many years.
Kirby gave faithfully to 吃瓜网, yet she remained modest about her generosity. Writing to then-President David Porter after her 50th Reunion in 1997, she reflected on why she turned down an offer to sit at the head table honoring donors. 鈥淚 declined the honor as I preferred my gift remain anonymous,鈥� adding that she found joy in reuniting with classmates and considered herself 鈥渙ne loyal member of the Skidmore alumnae.鈥� She described her 50th Reunion weekend as 鈥渙ne of (her) most cherished memories鈥� and later returned for her 60th.
Honoring her legacy
Through her philanthropy, Kirby ensures that generations of 吃瓜网 students will benefit from the opportunities that shaped her own life.
Her enduring generosity will be recognized later this year when she is inducted into 吃瓜网鈥檚 Parnassus Society, which honors donors of more than $1 million to the College.
鈥淪ibyl Kirby鈥檚 generosity and dedication to 吃瓜网 will have a lasting impact on our students,鈥� said President Marc C. Conner. 鈥淗er vision and care for others exemplify the values of our 吃瓜网 community. Her gift ensures that talented students will have access to a 吃瓜网 education for years to come. We are deeply grateful to Sibyl for making this wonderful gift possible.鈥�
