NetNews

The remarkable 14-year relationship between "Big Brother" Jeffrey Weiss '75 and Jason Stinson was the subject of a recent story in the Albany, N.Y., Times-Union.

Weiss, executive director of Glennpeter Jewelry in the Albany area, first volunteered through the Big Brother/ Big Sister program in 1989, and has been through dramatic ups and downs with Stinson since then -- the relationship has endured Stinson's conviction and imprisonment for burglary, among other difficulties. Today, Stinson works for Weiss as a jeweler, and has certifications as a bench jeweler technician; gold and precious metals jeweler; jewelry professional; and senior sales professional.

Weiss, now a Big Brothers board member, told the newspaper, "You like to think that it's going to make a difference." Stinson called Weiss "the father he never had," according to the report. "He's always been there. It doesn't matter what time of day or night...I've learned the value of earning something," Stinson commented. "That's one thing Jeff's really taught me, to work for things and you feel 10 times better about them."

At St. Lawrence, Weiss earned a degree in economics. His brother, Robert Weiss, graduated from St. Lawrence in 1974, also with a degree in economics.

Posted: August 7, 2003