As their 60th class ReUnion approaches in 2023, Tom Ackerman ’63, Neil Kleinman ’63 and Cliff Mastrangelo ’63 are collaborating to make their ReUnion giving initiative, the Class of 1963 Endowed Internship Fund, as focused and productive as possible.
“When this endeavor started to percolate, I immediately liked the idea of having a class gift for Union,” Tom said. “I felt this cause to be worthwhile because students who have internships have an advantage in getting hired once they graduate. Cliff, Neil and I asked the College what we could do to help and are working with our classmates to deliver on this priority as a way to help Union students be successful down the road.”
Neil Kleinman '63, left, and Cliff Mastrangelo '63
For Neil, his internships through Union provided “an outlet for understanding what life is like beyond the classroom. It’s what you experience that makes you capable of doing things.”
“I look at gifts to Union as a thank you, a recognition to those in the past who have made generous contributions to the College,” Cliff added. “Union has always been in the top ranks in terms of education, and it is important to retain this position. One way we can do this is through friends and family financially supporting the College.”
The Class of 1963 plans to raise enough funding to provide in perpetuity at least three internship stipends per year. The stipends will be made available to students undertaking 10-week unpaid summer internships.
For Cliff, this endeavor is a proud memorial to his son, Christopher ’89, who passed away at age 40 due to glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. “I breathe garnet and gray, and I want Christopher’s legacy to live on.”
“We all agree that the internship campaign is a way for Union students to become successful and for alumni to continue to provide formative opportunities for graduates of the future,” Neil summarized. “Plus, this gives us a way to leave a permanent message to Union students for generations to come.”
To make a gift to the Class of 1963 Endowed Internship Fund, please click here or contact Steve Jo, senior director for Leadership Giving, at (518) 388-6156 or jos@union.edu.
