A Virginia Military Institute graduate who struggled to pay for his education during the Depression has left his alma mater more than $14 million. The bequest by the late Robert B. Rust Jr., who graduated in 1934, was made to the VMI Foundation to endow a scholarship in his name. A scholarship had helped Rust complete his degree after his family had trouble paying for his last two years because of the Depression, said Gretchen N. Arnold, Rust’s niece and the executor of his estate.

The Richmond Community Hospital Foundation is donating $1.3 million to Virginia Union University to be used for a scholarship and internship program. Dr. Frank Royal, the foundation’s board chairman, presented the check during a breakfast meeting at Virginia Union, a historically black school in Richmond’s North Side community. The school, in a partnership with Bon Secours Richmond Health System, will create an internship program for students pursuing health care management-related careers.

Hunter J. Smith is pledging $10.7 million for construction of a rehearsal hall for the University of Virginia’s band and music programs, President John T. Casteen III announced yesterday. The pledge was made through the Hunter Smith Family Foundation. She and her husband, the late Carl W. Smith, have long been patrons. In 2003, they gave $1.5 million to help finance the Cavalier Marching Band.

The Steve Kolidakis Chapter No. 155, Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) of Hopewell has donated $500 to The Hopewell Public School Foundation. Robert Stepp, AHEPA President, made the presentation to Dr. Winston O. Odom, superintendent of Hopewell Public Schools and secretary-treasurer of the Hopewell Public School Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to make Hopewell Public Schools the best school system it can possibly be for all students.