Other Endowment Funds

Endowed funds are critical to the future of Excelsior University. These generous endowed funds provide annual programmatic, non-scholarship financial support to students and employees. We are grateful to our endowed fund donors for their support and investment in the future of Excelsior University.

Catherine Craig-Erhardt Endowment Fund

This fund was established by friends of employee Catherine Craig-Erhardt to provide an annual award at Commencement to a new military graduate to recognize service to others, commitment to education, and academic, professional, and personal achievement.

Charles W. Laffin Jr. Endowed Memorial Award Fund

This fund was established by John Tim Laffin, son of Charles W. Laffin Jr., whose vision and leadership gave momentum to a fledgling community college movement and left a legacy of opportunity to millions of adult learners, in gratitude for Charles’ invaluable service to Excelsior University. The purpose of this gift is to fund an annual graduate award for excellence and outstanding achievement to be awarded at Excelsior University’s annual Commencement exercises. To be eligible for the award, the graduate must have earned credit from a community college before attending Excelsior University and must have received a master’s degree from Excelsior University (non-nursing). In addition, this award requires that a graduate have a minimum GPA of 3.5.

Marvin B. Curling Endowment Fund

This fund was established by the New York Power Authority in memory of their employee Marvin Curling, to provide an annual award at Commencement to a new technology graduate who exemplifies the integration of corporate-sponsored training and college-level learning.

Murray H. Block Leadership Education and Development Center Endowment

This fund was established by retired employee Murray Block to support leadership education and development for employees of Excelsior University.

Criteria:

The fund’s earnings shall support in part or in full the provision of external resources that enrich the leadership development of Excelsior University employees. For example, uses might include but would not be limited to the cost of securing speakers, registration for external event or activities, including webinars, and the like.

Robert E. Kinsinger Nursing Excellence Endowment Fund

This fund was established by former trustee emeritus Robert E. Kinsinger to support some of the Robert E. Kinsinger Institute for Nursing Excellence’s annual expenses. Excelsior is to use half of Robert Kinsinger’s gifts and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s matching gift (2:1 base) each year to fund some of the institute’s annual expenses.