Foremost Benefactors

In recognition of their commitment to Cornell University and the ILR School, Martin F. Scheinman '75, M.S. '76 and Laurie A. Scheinman have been named foremost benefactors.

Alumni and supporters who have been most generous to the university are given the foremost benefactor designation and honored with an engraved space on the Uris Library Terrace or "builder's wall" next to McGraw Tower.

"Cornell has a long and proud history of philanthropy that goes back to our founder, Ezra Cornell. The Scheinmans continue to carry out our founders' legacy through their contributions and generosity," said President David Skorton at the foremost benefactor ceremony Monday on campus.

Dean Harry Katz also delivered remarks and said that, as he reflects on his tenure as dean, the founding, growth and evolution of the Scheiman Institute on Conflict Resolution is "one of the things I'm most deeply proud of." The institute received a major naming gift from the Scheinmans in 2007.

Cornell and ILR administrators, faculty, staff, students and members of the Scheinman Institute board of advisers attended this week's ceremony. Marty Scheinman, regarded as one of the country's leading arbitrators, thanked his wife Laurie, who he noted is not a Cornell alumna but "has brought Cornell into her heart."

Skorton also thanked Marty Scheinman for his long-time service as a trustee and alumni leader, and both Scheinmans for "touching so many other parts of Cornell," including their support of the Cornell Fund, the Sesquicentennial Grove and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered (LGBT) initiatives on campus.

"What Cornell has given to me and my family is far in excess of what we have given to Cornell," Marty Scheinman said.