Meet Our Donors

Honoring a Professor, Empowering Students

Georges Melhem, E’84, ME’86, PhD’88, considers himself lucky. In 1980, at the height of the civil war in his home country of Lebanon, Melhem fled the conflict and emigrated to the United States, settling in Boston.

Giving Back Has Always Been Top of Mind for Randolph “Randy” Knepper ’77

Randy came to Northeastern Law in the post-Vietnam era a􀀁ter running a half-way house in Minnesota. He was drawn to Northeastern Law because of the school’s social justice mission and the co-op program. “My pockets were far from deep in those days,” recalls Randy. “The money I earned from my co-ops made a real dent in paying tuition.”

Education Was His Calling—and Now It’s His Legacy

A scholarship made Peter Polito’s dream of attending college a reality. Now he and his wife, Claire, are making that dream come true for Northeastern University students by generously establishing the Peter and Claire Polito College of Science Scholarship.

“When we give to Northeastern, we’re part of the team!”
—Bob, E’73, and Louise Kursmark

Bob Kursmark, E’73, was the first in his family to set his sights on attending college, and he hoped he could go somewhere outside of his small town of Mystic, Connecticut.

Giving is a Win-Win

Jane Smalley, BB’63, doesn’t let anything hold her back once an idea takes shape and percolates.

He’s Traveled the World, From the North Pole to Antarctica—And Still Dreams of Landing on the Moon.

In 1956, during one of Ken Bronstein’s first engineering classes at Northeastern, a professor made predictions about what might change by the year 2000. The Space Race was on, and personal jet packs and regular trips to the Moon were a couple of the possibilities that sparked Bronstein’s imagination.

A Pillar of Many Communities

Friend to many, fierce advocate, ardent mentor, renowned educator, passionate pioneer, and Boston community leader, Dr. Nancy J. Caruso remains a pillar in every community she touched—and the Northeastern community is no different.

Resilience Tested, World Ready

As a student, Carol Roberts was deeply impacted by the faculty of what was then known as Boston-Bouvé School of Physical Education at Tufts University. Find out how she is honoring those inspiring educators and supporting current students in the physical therapy program.

She Came to Northeastern to Teach—and Continues to Inspire

Carla Oblas taught Balfour Academy scholars for 30 years. Her lifelong commitment to providing quality education for students will continue with her gift to create the Carla B. Oblas Balfour Scholarship Fund.

Looking Back, Shaping the Future

"The foundation of how I succeeded in business—or anything in my life—was due to what I learned at Northeastern."

Amy Stephson, L'77

"Northeastern trains students to be thoughtful, skilled lawyers and to heal and repair the world—in part through cooperative legal education. This is why I have named the law school as a beneficiary of my estate."

Stanley Kovell’s Estate-Plan Gift Will Endow Scholarship for Chemical Engineering Students

"I've been lucky my whole life, and it began at Northeastern." —Stanley Kovell, E'55

From Co-op to a Dream Job

"I recognize what Northeastern did for me," reflects Deming. "I want to give students the opportunity to be 100% students—and not worry about the cost burden."

The Road to His Career Leads Back to Northeastern

"For those alumni who, like me, navigated successful career paths built on Northeastern's experiential and academic foundation, consider partnering with the university to ensure future students will have similar opportunities."

A Gift on a Mission

"It was my parents' mission to keep their story alive," explains Shirley, "Our gift will accomplish that."

Herb Gray, P'55: A Prescription for Success

"Before you invest in something, you need to know it will last," Gray says. "You can feel confident about this university."

Fred Hunt, BA'71: Investing In the Future with a Charitable Gift Annuity

"An annuity is a great retirement tool because it provides dependable regular income, and at the end supports the university."

Dennis Ramsier Pays it Forward

"No one does anything fully by himself or herself—they receive help and support along the way. We should all find a way to pay it forward so that others can benefit."

Mark Epstein, E'10, MBA'11; Matthew Chase, S'10; and Marcus Moché, E'10

Teaming Up for Good

"Our gifts allow us to stay connected to the university while enabling us to make an impact on students' lives for the better."

David Feinzig, E'47

For David Feinzig, E'47, receiving a scholarship that enabled him to attend college—a dream he thought was unattainable because of financial hardship—was his promising start.

Gerald Griffin, LA'60, MA'62

"I want our donation to help someone, as Northeastern helped me. The university introduced me to a whole new world. I've had such a great life because of my education."

Stephen Whetstone, L'92

"We wanted to give back to a school and community that's given me so much."

Robert Goldberg, E'59

"Northeastern gave me an opportunity that was very significant in my life, and we want to ensure that future generations of students have access to an excellent education."

Larry O'Rourke

"I really want to make sure that I contribute to the future of Northeastern and invest in the generations to come. We all have to give back in life. Once I took care of my family, I knew I would provide for Northeastern and my other charitable interests."

Michael Winston, BA'10

"When I considered which charities I wanted to support with my inheritance, I immediately thought of Northeastern."