Listen to this articleSt. Joseph’s University, New York (SJNY), which has campuses in Patchogue and Brooklyn, has received a $1 million gift from alumnus Stephen Somers, class of 1982. The gift will be used to establish endowed student scholarships for the nursing programs on both the Long Island and Brooklyn campuses, and the Brooklyn Campus ACES program.
With this gift, the university’s Somers Endowed Nursing Scholarship provides $500,000 for undergraduate student scholarships for high-need, high-achieving upper level nursing students during their junior and senior years.
In addition, the Somers ACES Endowed Scholarship provides $500,000 for student scholarships that will benefit students enrolled in the Brooklyn campus’ ACES program, an intensive reading and writing learning community for high-achieving immigrant students for whom English is a new language.
“I hope the students who receive these scholarships realize the gift they have been given and reach back to support the university with whatever help they can give,” Somers said in a news release about the gift.
“That may be their time, talent, mentorship or financial gifts,” he added. “If you have the good fortune to live your dreams like I have, then in turn, you need to pay it forward so others can do the same.”
These are the fourth and fifth scholarships that Somers’ donations have established for the university. As endowed scholarships, they will be awarded for generations, benefitting students.
“This wonderful gift from Steve will have a profound impact on our students, many of whom depend on additional financial support to attend St. Joseph’s,” Donald Boomgaarden, SJNY president, said in the news release. “His continued generosity to his alma mater, and his love for our students, is remarkable. We are very grateful to him for all that he does for St. Joseph’s University, New York.”
Somers graduated from SJNY’s Brooklyn campus in 1982 with a B.S. in chemistry and began his career in the flavor and fragrance industry. He went on to earn a master’s degree in analytical chemistry from St. John’s University and purchased Vigon International in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Under Somers’ leadership, the company was recognized by East Stroudsburg University as fast-growing firm, going from a $5 million firm in 1998 to a $100 million firm in 2018. He sold the company in 2021 but remains involved, serving as head of technology. In living out a lifelong dream and his love of baseball, he recently became an ownership partner with the Fenway Sports Group, owners of the Boston Red Sox.
“This gift is a testament to Steve’s belief and commitment to a St. Joseph’s education,” Rory Shaffer-Walsh, SJNY’s vice president for institutional advancement, said in the news release. “Thanks to his generosity, the university will be able to provide impactful opportunities to students, and we are forever grateful.”
Somers resides in Hackettstown, New Jersey, with his wife, Sharon, who also attended SJNY and graduated in 1982.
