Planned Gifts

Donor Stories

Both our donors and the beneficiaries of their generosity have stories to share. Read their stories below:

Al ’70 and Sue Gemberling ’70 Olszewski

St. Lawrence set me up for my first job. After 28 years at AT&T, it was my last job too. My father died while I was a student at SLU. After that, the University awarded me a scholarship to help me complete my studies. When I wanted to study in Washington, D.C., my junior year, St. Lawrence supported my course work at George Washington University and my internship in the House of Representatives. St. Lawrence also introduced me to my husband.”

Mi Casa es Su Casa

Rita Goldberg did a lot more than teach Spanish at St. Lawrence. Now she’s planning to do even more.

Deena Giltz McCullough ’84

Deena Giltz McCullough ’84 had heard stories about St. Lawrence throughout her childhood in Plattsburgh, New York. She even visited the campus a few times, enough to make the place feel familiar before enrolling.

Christine Koski ’79

You can never fully pay back the people who helped you, but you can pay it forward. I have established a bequest for St. Lawrence because I believe it is important to help the next generation of college students succeed.

Pete Ticconi '69

Pete Ticconi ’69 did not have an inkling of the influence that St. Lawrence University was to have upon his life, and certainly he had no idea that he would one day work at his alma mater.

Dave Halstead ’91

St. Lawrence is a special place that helped shape us into the adults we have become, taught us the value of our education and showed us how we can contribute to the global world in which we live.

Todd Haskell ’90

Todd Haskell ’90 has consistently supported St. Lawrence University each year as an annual fund donor and a volunteer. As a student, he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma, president of Thelmo, and a Dana Scholar.

David ’78 and Barbara Williams Wiederecht ’77, P’15

Since graduating from St. Lawrence University, Dave ’77 and Barb Wiederecht ’78, P’15 have consistently supported the University in many ways.

Frank P. Piskor, University President ’69-’81

St. Lawrence honors scholar, educator, administrator, bibliophile, humanitarian and philanthropist the late President Emeritus Frank P. Piskor.

Steve Hill '72

While at St. Lawrence, Steve Hill ’72 (pictured here with his wife Ramona) was a history major, a Nordic combined skier, and active with ROTC.

Susan Underwood ’68, P’03

For Susan, their unrestricted bequest builds on her history of support for the University. The gift will also be included in the total for Susan’s class of 1968, celebrating their 50th Reunion this June.

Robert Lyle ’58

Robert V. Lyle graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and has remained close to the University ever since.

Marcia Thompson Dawson ’48

Marcia Dawson ’48 was incredibly involved during her time at St. Lawrence. Marcia was an English major and an active member in both the Greek and athletic life.

Dorothy McKinney Malin ’40

Dorothy McKinney Malin ’40 was known by her friends as an energetic person with a generous spirit. Her love for St. Lawrence and passion for helping others were both illustrated when she passed away in 2010.

Doris M. Offermann ’34

Doris M. Offermann graduated from St. Lawrence University with a degree in economics in 1934. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, the women’s debate club, the Glee Club and active in athletics including basketball, field hockey, baseball and badminton.

Edith M. Costello ’27

Edith M. Costello was the proud daughter of two Laurentian graduates. Although she never attended St. Lawrence, she left a bequest of nearly one million dollars.

J. Kimball “Kim” Gannon ’24

I'll Be Home for Christmas remains one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all times, and it gives more to St. Lawrence University than just a special holiday feeling.

G. Atwood ’16 and Alice Manley ’17 P’45

G. Atwood Manley was born 125 years ago, on October 31, 1893. Lennie Dougherty McKinnon '58 received the 2018 G. Atwood Manley Society Achievement Award. At the award ceremony during Reunion, she presented the following details of G. Atwood Manley’s achievements

A History of Inquiry: Prestigious Laurentian Professorships

The Craig Professorship was established in 1872 and endowed in 1873 under the will of John Craig of Rochester. In 1925 the professorship was changed to the Craig Professorship of English. In 2016, Dr. Sarah Gates (pictured) was appointed the Craig Professor of English.

The St. Lawrence Fund is the Cornerstone of Laurentian Giving. It is a way every Laurentian can participate and make their gift count during this campaign.