What’s in a name? A family tradition of outstanding support for Carleton College

Barbara and Wally Weitz standing outside with fall tree behind them
Barbara ’70 and Wally ’70 Weitz

The name of the Weitz Center for Creativity reflects the incredible contributions made by the family of Wally ’70) and Barbara ’70 Weitz. Together with their children Katie ’96Roger ’99 and his wife, Kate, and Drew ’02 and his wife Meredith ’02, they contributed $15 million toward the 2011 phase of the facility.

In 2016 the Weitz family again made Carleton history by contributing an additional $20 million toward the new music and performance addition. Music, Roger Weitz said, is an integral part of the lives of many Carleton students, and this addition will benefit both music majors and non-music majors alike.

The Weitz family has become by far Carleton’s largest donor, with more than $45 million total gifts to the college. Wally has been a member of Carleton’s Board of Trustees since 2000 and accepted the board chair position in 2016. He and Barbara served as co-chairs of Carleton’s Breaking Barriers, Creating Connections campaign, which made possible the original Weitz Center.  

The college gratefully recognizes the Weitz family for their inspiring support of Carleton and their tremendous contribution to the construction of this dynamic facility.