Spafford Family Gives $1 Million to Expand Access at St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University has received a $1 million gift from alumnus Jeff Spafford ’88 and his wife, Amy, to establish the Spafford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund. The fund will provide financial support for students, ensuring access to the life-shaping experiences that define a St. Lawrence education.
“St. Lawrence has always been a big part of my life—and my family’s,” said Spafford. “I want students who receive this scholarship to make the most of the opportunity and then pay it forward.”
The Spafford family’s Laurentian ties span generations. Jeff’s mother, Carolyn (Cole) Spafford, graduated in 1954, and his aunt, Suzanne (Cole) Knight, in 1948. His sister, Missy (Spafford) Schreiber, graduated in 1985, overlapping with Jeff for one year on campus before he graduated in 1988.
Originally from Palmyra, N.Y., Spafford majored in economics at St. Lawrence and participated in the Army ROTC program. He spent a semester abroad in Japan—a pivotal experience that shaped his global perspective. After graduation, he joined GE’s Financial Management Program and earned an MBA from Harvard. Since then, Spafford has built a distinguished career in healthcare entrepreneurship, founding and leading several companies focused on improving access to specialty therapies and lowering patient costs.
“Jeff and Amy’s generosity will help make a St. Lawrence education possible for future generations of students,” said St. Lawrence University President Kate Morris. “There’s no greater compliment to the University than alumni who want future students to have the same kinds of life-shaping experiences they enjoyed at St. Lawrence. By creating this endowed scholarship, the Spaffords have opened the door for so many, and we are deeply grateful.”
The Spafford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund comes at a time when access and affordability remain priorities for families and students across the country. Fifty-eight percent of St. Lawrence students receive need-based aid, and donor support helps ensure that financial circumstances do not limit opportunity.
“These are challenging times for small liberal arts schools, especially those in rural areas,” Spafford said. “But what’s special about St. Lawrence—its close community, its North Country roots, the experience of living and learning together—is needed now more than ever.”
