Beverly, MA The philanthropic affiliate of Cummings Properties has donated $10 million to Salem State University. In connection with the major gift, the School of Education is being renamed for James McKeown, Cummings’ late president and a 1977 alumnus of the school.

“Renaming the school in honor of Jamie helps to further his legacy,” Bill Cummings, founder of Cummings Properties said. “We are delighted to have him remembered in this way, and to help future teachers throughout the region reach their goals.”

McKeown spent his entire career at Cummings, rising from leasing agent to president before age 35. He was the driving force behind the Company’s 1995 acquisition of “The Shoe” site in Beverly. Now transformed into Cummings Center, the award-winning property grew out of Jamie’s vision.

McKeown died suddenly in November 1996 at the age of 41. He is remembered as a dynamic real estate leader in the Metro North region and was beloved by his colleagues.

With this gift, Salem State joins Cummings Foundation’s Affiliated Colleges initiative. It is made up of educational institutions that are beneficiaries of commitments of at least $10 million from Cummings. Included are Tufts University, Endicott College, Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda, and Roger Williams University.

Through the new funding, Salem State intends to expand its programming to diversify the educator pipeline for teachers in all areas, focus on teacher retention, and help to provide paths to licensure. Many who study at Salem State go on to be teachers in the area’s Gateway Cities, including Salem, Lynn, Peabody, and Revere.