“St. Lawrence provided not only an education, but also a life experience that allowed me to truly explore what I wanted to do for a career,” Jennifer Winfield Young ’85 says.

When making her personal philanthropy plans, Young deliberately includes St. Lawrence. “Education is a priority for me. It allows a world of opportunity to open up for people,” she says. “My experience was very important in shaping who I am today. Since I graduated, the University has continued to focus on academic excellence, personal experience and having a successful graduating class.”

Young, who was an economics major and is chair and chief executive officer at INTECH Investment Management, LLC.,, knows her gifts allow St. Lawrence to maintain its tradition of excellence. “My gifts have helped allow St. Lawrence to continue building state-of-the-art facilities and attract and retain teaching, coaching and administrative talent that will help ensure that St. Lawrence continues to be a strong and lasting institution,” she says. “I can remember professors who were instrumental in helping me determine which career path I wanted to go down and those that had an indelible impact on my whole experience. It is a testament to the quality of the institution that St. Lawrence continues to focus on high-quality faculty and on bringing the best to the students.”

She notes that one thing that always struck her as an important part of St. Lawrence is the University’s commitment to the community. “The partnership St. Lawrence seemed to have with Canton, the integration of the University with the merchants downtown and the citizens of Canton and surrounding towns, was impressive,” she recalls. “It resulted in the establishment of a University that was not only there for students, but was an important part of the Canton community. I know that continues today.”