Bob Iger ’73 and his wife, Willow Bay, have committed to a $1 million gift to establish the Iger-Bay Endowed Scholarship at Ithaca College in support of academic excellence and the institution’s goal of becoming a national model for colleges committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The scholarship, which is funded through proceeds from sales of Iger’s recently released memoir, The Ride of a Lifetime, will be awarded to incoming students in the Roy H. Park School of Communications who demonstrate financial need; have declared a major of journalism, sports media, or documentary studies; and hail from communities that are historically underrepresented and underserved in these fields at Ithaca College and nationally.

As CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Iger is a powerhouse media executive whose blockbuster features, including Black Panther, have proven to be critical and commercial smashes that resonate with audiences around the world. Bay, who is dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, is likewise committed to ensuring that students possess a deep understanding and appreciation of diverse voices in media.