This spring, Syracuse University kicked off an exciting fundraising campaign called The Syracuse Promise. The goal? To raise $50 million in scholarship funds over the next three years. The response has been amazing! The Orange community has already contributed over $5.2 million. This funding will help provide meaningful scholarships, allowing more students to afford a Syracuse education.
The Syracuse Promise features a unique matching program to maximize donor impact. Thanks to two generous estate gifts, the University offers a 1:2 match for contributions that support scholarship endowments. For instance, gifts of $100,000 or more can create new scholarships, while donations of $50,000 or more can enhance existing ones.
Right now, 78% of Syracuse students rely on some form of financial aid. Recently, the University has managed to reduce average student debt by over 10%. It’s essential that Syracuse continues to meet the financial needs of incoming students, especially since the type of aid—mainly scholarships and grants—plays a big role in attracting top talent.
Tracy Barlok, the senior vice president and chief advancement officer, emphasizes the importance of endowed giving. “Endowed gifts provide forever funding that grows over time. This helps both the students and the University weather economic uncertainties,” she explains. Six years ago, schools with more endowment funding per student showed increased enrollment and enhanced educational opportunities.
The matching program is simple and appealing. Donors can create new funds or strengthen existing ones. One of the first supporters was Trustee Jeannine Lostritto, who, with her husband Glenn, expanded their own scholarship fund for architecture students. “We believe in education’s power to change lives,” Jeannine says. Their family’s connection to the architecture program reflects a deep commitment to nurturing future talents.
Another supporter, Bernard Armstrong III, gifted to the School of Architecture scholarship fund in honor of a friendship he values. “It’s crucial for architects to understand diverse communities, cultures, and histories,” he explains. He feels that this scholarship will open doors for students seeking global experiences.
For many donors, The Syracuse Promise has made endowment-level giving possible. Joe and Linda Bockskopf wanted to support students in the STEM fields and felt the matching opportunity came at the perfect time. Linda, who benefited from a full scholarship as a child of immigrants, understands how transformative this aid can be. “We wanted to create a lasting impact during our lifetime,” says Joe.
Robert and Teresa Heitsenrether, also motivated to support first-generation college students, decided to fully fund their endowed scholarship thanks to the matching funds. Robert, a first-generation graduate himself, knows how crucial education is in changing lives.
Scholarships aren’t just for undergraduates; they can also help law students like those benefiting from Stephanie D. Jones’s endowed fund. She values student leadership and hopes to empower future lawyers to lead well.
The heartwarming generosity surrounding The Syracuse Promise highlights the strong bond within the Orange community. Many donors were once students who received scholarships themselves. Their journeys motivate them to give back, continuing the cycle of support. “This connection is what The Syracuse Promise embodies,” Barlok notes.
For more insights and to learn more about The Syracuse Promise, check out their official page at Syracuse University.
