In a world filled with choices, Nadine Kadell Sapirman ’90 and Louis Sapirman ’91 remind us that the simple choice of helping others can have profound impact.
At Geneseo, Nadine served as a resident assistant and later as a residence hall director and housing manager for summer orientation. She found purpose in creating a community for her students—from organizing movie nights and outings to leading a broomball team. She led campus tours and loved being a friendly face for prospective students.
“I have really fond memories of being a tour guide and walking around campus in all kinds of weather, leading students and their families around,” she recalls. “Being that first point of contact and creating a welcoming atmosphere, while also talking about all the great things happening at Geneseo, was critical in developing my communication and leadership skills.”
Louis’s involvement in Geneseo’s chapter of the national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega influenced his life on campus, as did the Geneseo honors program gatherings hosted by emeriti faculty members Bill and Stacey Edgar.
“Bill and Stacey created a family in their home for anybody who came in,” says Louis. The honors program, he says, gave him a sense of family and inclusiveness. He and Nadine now strive to emulate that welcoming environment in their home and toward others.
The Sapirmans’ experiences at Geneseo, particularly their participation in Alpha Phi Omega laid the foundation for their commitment to community support and Geneseo students. They recently established The Sapirman Family Scholarship Endowment for Community Service and Leadership, which will provide a scholarship of at least $3,000 to a student who demonstrates a commitment to community service and leadership. Easing the financial burden of attending college can give students more time to focus on service and develop leadership skills, say the Sapirmans.
“We support a new generation of compassionate leaders,” says Louis. “Being part of something bigger than ourselves, something that positively impacts the community, was a pivotal part of our college experience. We hope the recipients of this scholarship go on to inspire and lead others, creating a community where helping and uplifting each other becomes the norm.”
