Memorial Scholarships Continue Students’ Legacies Stephen N. LePorisz ’06 A mechanical engineer, amateur photographer and motorsports enthusiast, Stephen N. LePorisz ’06 (M.E.) lived life to the fullest. He loved engineering and socializing with friends and family. “Stephen was a brilliant student who loved a good joke,” says Zella Kahn-Jetter, Ph.D., former professor of mechanical engineering. “He made everyone, faculty and students alike, laugh. He had a wonderful sense of humor.” LePorisz had a serious side, too. After graduating with honors, he worked for Turner Construction and Collado Engineering. His leadership and zeal for his profes-
Kate Anne McNeil
sion were recognized by colleagues at the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), a national professional association, where he was the presidentelect of the bi-state chapter. His sudden death on March 15, 2010 in an accident came as a tragic shock to family, friends and colleagues, who resolved to commemorate his all-too-short life with a memorial scholarship. Close friends and family attended a dinner at Rory Dolan’s in Yonkers to help fund the scholarship, which, when fully endowed, will benefit students in the school of engineering.
in 2010, McNeil lost her life when crossing a busy intersection in Kate Anne McNeil, a marketing Baldwin, N.Y. A car struck McNeil; major in the class of 2011, is reher brother, Bryan; and friend membered by friends and faculty as a warm-hearted, young woman, and classmate Samantha Koch ’11. Bryan and Koch survived with who loved Manhattan College. serious injuries. “She was so welcoming, kind, In establishing the Kate sweet, always with a smile on her Anne McNeil Memorial Scholarface, she made me feel right at home,” says friend Emily Kemp ’11. ship, family and friends hope to celebrate her spirit by extending “She was like an angel to me then, an opportunity to take part in and will always be an angel to me. one of her favorite experiences at She’s changed my life forever.” Manhattan — study abroad. She “Kate was an absolute pleahad spent the previous semessure to have in class,” says Alfred ter in London with the program, Manduley, assistant professor and, by all accounts, loved it. The of marketing. “She was active, scholarship will provide funds perceptive and insightful. She for selected Manhattan College got along famously with her students who are participating in classmates, as well as with her study abroad programs. professor. She was someone you Katherine Kerbstat ’11 was wanted to clone.” the first recipient of the scholarTragically, on St. Patrick’s Day
At the dinner, which was themed “A Celebration of Life,” friends remembered how his positive qualities affected their lives. Erica Ross ’00 (M.E.) said: “Stephen could light up a room just by walking into it. He was a vibrant spirit, a wonderful friend and a devoted son and grandson.” Giovanni Cerini added, “Stephen will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.” LePorisz’s dad, Stephen LePorisz, said the purpose of the scholarship is “to keep Stephen’s memory alive and to encourage other young engineers to take on the world, just as Stephen did.”
ship. In a letter expressing her appreciation, she wrote: “The endowment gave me financial access to amazing experiences in England that I would not have had otherwise. However, it was really the memory of Kate that really pushed me to explore and enjoy Europe to the fullest.”
Contributions can be made to the Stephen N. LePorisz ’06 Scholarship or the Kate Anne McNeil Memorial Scholarship at Manhattan College. If you would like to make a contribution, please note the scholarship designation and mail a check to Manhattan College, office of planned giving, 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10471 or call (718) 862-7976 for more information. . 41