St. Lawrence University Receives Transformative $5 Million Legacy Gift from John Crowley '76
St. Lawrence University is grateful to announce a $5 million unrestricted legacy gift from John Crowley ’76, a milestone in his enduring connection to his alma mater that will support the University’s highest priorities.
This commitment comes as Crowley looks ahead to his 50th Reunion in 2026. While he has remained connected to St. Lawrence through class reunions and his fraternity brothers, this planned gift represents a renewed and profound investment in the University’s future. The unrestricted nature of the gift ensures President Kate Morris and the Board of Trustees can allocate the funds to meet St. Lawrence’s evolving needs and strategic goals.
“John’s generosity is as inspiring as it is transformative and demonstrates the tremendous impact alumni can have on their alma mater,” says President Kate Morris. “The Board of Trustees and I are deeply grateful for his trust in our leadership and his commitment to the next generation of Laurentians.”
Crowley, who earned his bachelor’s degree in English and government, has had a distinguished 30-plus year career as an entrepreneur and global financial executive, specializing in corporate restructuring, developed and emerging markets, and strategic consulting. His expansive career has taken him from leadership roles in the United States to work in London, Ukraine, Ghana, and Pakistan. Highlights include serving as Chief Financial Officer of FairPoint Communications and as Managing Director for Alex. Brown International in London.
Crowley says he cherishes the lifelong friendships and connections he formed at St. Lawrence, particularly through the former Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, which became a foundation for his professional success. “A lot of the really interesting opportunities I had in my life were because of people I knew,” Crowley says. “When I got out of school, I went into investment banking. Five years later, one of my fraternity brothers called me about an opportunity, and that turned out to be a pivotal point in my career.”
Describing his St. Lawrence experience as one that taught him to “fly without a net,” Crowley says his years on campus instilled in him the adaptability and confidence to navigate new challenges. He credits his liberal arts education for preparing him to solve complex, unforeseen problems—a skill he believes is even more crucial in today’s rapidly changing world.
“St. Lawrence taught me to learn as I go along,” he says. “It’s a skill that’s been invaluable throughout my career, especially when I was working in places like Russia, Ukraine, and Serbia.”
For more information on legacy gifts or to explore ways to make a lasting impact, contact D. Kurt Terrell, Director of Planned Gifts at kterrell@stlawu.edu, 315-229-5026, or visit the Planned Gifts website.
