Opportunity and Friendship Inspire Reed Family’s Giving
During their time at St. Lawrence in the 1980s, John Reed ’85, P’16 and Leslie Reed ’87, P’16 built close friendships and a deep sense of community that have remained with them long after graduation. The couple has a well-established record of generous and thoughtful giving, often in memory of dear St. Lawrence friends, such as their creation of the Caroline “Cammy” Mook ’87 Memorial Scholarship.
The Reeds’ recent gift is designated to the Reed Family Expendable Scholarship and Reed Family Endowed Scholarship, as well as the Jay Niles ’85 Endowed Fund for Men’s Lacrosse, the Leslie ’87 and John ’85 Reed President’s Discretionary Fund, and the Annual Fund. Recognizing that the cost of college is a substantial barrier for many students, they want to help bridge that gap so that financial constraints never stand in the way of a talented student’s ability to attend St. Lawrence— and make the most of their campus experience.
John and Leslie’s son, Kersey ’16, followed in his parents’ college footsteps and is now an entrepreneur living in New York City, helping to run Electra Beverages, the company he co-founded with his youngest sister. Seeing Kersey thrive at St. Lawrence reaffirmed the impact of their education and deepened their desire to support the University’s future.
Growing up in a family that prioritized giving to many worthy causes, John singled out St. Lawrence for the way it has shaped their lives.
“St. Lawrence is a particularly special place for me, Leslie, and now Kersey,” he says. “We’re doing what we can to make sure the next generation has the same opportunities to experience it.”
In addition to financial support, John and Leslie have given back to the University by serving on Reunion committees and attending or hosting events.
“Ensuring high-achieving, motivated students have access to the St. Lawrence experience is among the University’s top priorities,” says Vice President for University Advancement Kim Robinson Hissong ’94. “We are so proud and grateful when alumni like John and Leslie Reed affirm the value of their educations with impactful gifts like this, and with their consistent support of the University.”
After graduating from St. Lawrence, John spent 15 years as a corporate executive at Prudential and Aetna Healthcare before pivoting to a career in philanthropy. He is currently a senior advisor of principal gifts at The Hotchkiss School, his high school alma mater, so he is keenly aware of the challenges and opportunities that private institutions face, and he stressed the importance of building St. Lawrence’s endowment.
John and Leslie hope their gift inspires fellow alumni to reflect on what St. Lawrence has meant to them and consider how they, too, can contribute to its future. “It doesn’t matter the size of the gift—what matters is the collective impact of all of us coming together to support this place that has given us so much,” says John.
