Hamilton College President David Wippman announced the death of Life Trustee and Chairman Emeritus Stuart L. Scott ’61 in an email to the Hamilton community on Feb. 25.
Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,
I am writing to share the sad news that Life Trustee and Chairman Emeritus Stuart L. Scott ’61 has died. Stuart, who turned 80 in August, was the father of seven children, including Phoebe Scott ’06 and Christina Scott Feingold ’91. He was on campus last May for the graduation of his granddaughter, Penelope Tornes ’18.
Stuart was a man of great conviction, integrity, and vision. His love for Hamilton was profound, and he demonstrated that affection by giving considerably of his time and donating generously to support College priorities, including establishing two scholarships for students. He made difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions because he knew they were in Hamilton's long-term best interests.
After graduating from Hamilton in 1961 with a degree in English Literature, Stuart earned a J.D. from the Northwestern University School of Law and began his career as an attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He subsequently began a highly distinguished career in real estate, becoming chief executive officer of LaSalle Partners in Chicago and then, following a merger with a British firm, was the founding CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle, the world's leading real estate services and investment management company. He retired as chairman at the end of 2004.
Stuart served as the chair of Hamilton's Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2008. He was first elected to the board as an alumni trustee in 1985 and became a charter trustee in 1989. In addition to serving as chair of the Campaign for the '90s, he chaired the Trustee Committee on Residential Life, was president of the Chicago Alumni Association, and served as chair of the Annual Fund. Hamilton presented Stuart with an honorary degree in 2009.
For Hamilton, Stuart has always been an extraordinary advocate, friend, and benefactor. He will be deeply missed.