When Curt Viebranz decided to honor two Laurentians he admired, he thought of an aspect of University life that meant much to both of them. The Piskor/Viebranz Fund for the Archives was established in 2008 to support the acquisition of rare books for the Owen D. Young Library. The late Frank P. Piskor was president of the University from 1969 to 1981; he made many gifts to the University’s rare book collection, including his extensive Robert Frost collection. The late Alfred C. Viebranz ’42 was a trustee or trustee emeritus for over 40 years, and chair of the Board for five years.  He loved good writing and supported opportunities for students and faculty to engage with one another on writing.

“This fund was established in honor of two men who each had a profound influence on St. Lawrence University and whose lives exemplified the best of what it means to be liberally educated,” says the fund document.  “They were great leaders, great friends and great lovers of the printed word,” adds Curt Viebranz, Al Viebranz’s son. “They shared a love of rare books.”

“Frank Piskor and Al Viebranz understood (the importance of owning a text) in its original or early edition,” the document goes on. University Archivist Mark McMurray explains, “An early or first edition offers physical clues that can help us understand why the book was originally published, who its original audience was and how it was sold.  In addition, we can study--through careful observation of the physical object--how it fits in with other books from the same author, publisher, place of publication or time period.” 

“The fund was generously supported by the Kohlberg Foundation and we also contributed to its establishment,” says Curt Viebranz. “We hope to add to it in the future.

“I stand in awe of my Dad and his devotion to St. Lawrence,” Curt continues. “He never forgot how much St. Lawrence did for him and he was determined to repay the University many times over. And Frank Piskor was a truly outstanding human being.”

Curt Viebranz, his wife, Cissy, and their three children live in Chester, N.J. He has worked in Internet advertising, and readily admits to a soft spot in his heart for SLU.