McConn Endowed Scholarship – Perpetuate the McConn Legacy

Status Update and Request

November 2024

Discussions Started at the Reunion: When McConn considered the idea of an in-person reunion a few years ago, we were thrilled to see the enthusiasm expressed across the classes from 1966 through 1979. We had over 75 attend and even more registered on the web site created for the event (www.mcconn-50.com). During that weekend, we brainstormed on a way to leverage the spirit and make a more enduring statement to Lehigh about what a special place McConn house was during that era. The idea of creating a McConn endowed scholarship was hatched. 

We launched the Men of McConn 1966-1979 Endowed Scholarship in 2022: We were amazed that we quickly reached our initial goal of $100,000 in donations, with Fred Schea generously committing to donate $10,000 per year for 5 years. That milestone enabled Lehigh to award the first McConn scholarship in the fall of 2023.

First Scholarship Recipient: Andrey Montero, selected by Lehigh, was the first recipient. He received approximately $3,000 per semester. Andrey’s story is outlined in an article written in 2023 by Steve Wilson about how special McConn was for us and how proud we were to award the first McConn scholarship to Andrey. Here is a link to the article: Power of McConn | Lehigh Alumni.

Meeting Our Scholarship Recipient: We invited Andrey to our Lehigh-Lafayette post-game happy hour and dinner as our guest at Yianni’s Taverna. He was impressive. Kelly Stazi and Marcia Barone, our links to the Lehigh alumni ecosystem also attended. They understand how special the McConn gang was and is.

2024 McConn Scholars: This year Lehigh awarded two McConn scholarships – Matthew Girardy, and again to Andrey Montero. Approximately $3,400 per semester is being awarded (~ 5% of the fund balance per year). We invited both recipients to attend the post-game happy hour and dinner as our guests at Yianni's. If you will be at the L-L game, please join us.

How large is the fund? $136,000 has been donated, with an additional $30,000 pledged.

Next Goal is $250,000: Will you help us get there? At this level, McConn alumni could have say in type of student - not that we expect to exercise such oversight. The student selected is always done by the Lehigh staff. A McConn representative or designee is also invited to the annual scholarship awards Spring dinner. Mike Berney has volunteered to be our first representative.

Why consider a gift to the Men of McConn 1966-1979 Endowed Scholarship?

• During our McConn Zoom calls over the past few years, many of us mentioned that our best memories are from our time at McConn. In fact, most of our friends from that era were McConn classmates. The fact that we have stayed in touch is a testament to how special that place was.
   
• Even a small donation results in communication about the recipient, a say in the type of candidate and perhaps the opportunity to meet the recipients and personally see the impact.
   
• Besides helping a scholarship recipient, a gift to this endowed scholarship reminds Lehigh of the unique McConn House camaraderie of this living group alternative to a fraternity. The fact that a McConn Scholarship exists begs the question . . . what was so special about this group and this time that resulted in a group of alumni that wanted to create a scholarship in the name of a living group? Each of us has our own answer and perhaps our own reason for wanting to keep the McConn House legacy alive.

Any Amount by Any Method Helps: A one-time donation or multi-year pledge. We hope to reach $250,000 by November 2026. If you are already contributing annually to Lehigh, please consider designating some of that donation to the McConn scholarship: "McConn House 1966-1979 Endowed Scholarship Fund #5878A". Without this designation, the gift is added to the general fund, not McConn-specific.

• GIFT BY CHECK: Make payable to "Lehigh University"; on the memo line, or in written correspondence, list "McConn House 1966–1979 Endowed Scholarship Fund” (#5878A). Mail to Lehigh University; Attn: Kelly Stazi - Development and Alumni Relations; 306 S. New Street, Suite. 500; Bethlehem, PA 18015. Kelly's contact info is: (610) 758-2824 (office); Kbs415@lehigh.edu
   
• GIFT ONLINE: go to: give.lu; In the comments section, designate: "McConn House 1966 - 1979 Endowed Scholarship Fund # 5878A" 
   
• TO MAKE A GIFT OF APPRECIATED SECURITIES: Click for Instructions for making a gift of appreciated securities. Contact your broker and let Lehigh know about the pending transfer by using this form. To contact the Treasurer's Officer directly with any questions, please call 610-758-3180 or email intreas@lehigh.edu.
   
• TO MAKE A GIFT BY WIRE TRANSFER: Please email Kelly Stazi at or kbs415@lehigh.edu or Marcia Barone at mmb@786@lehigh.edu. 
   
• Qualified Charitable Distribution: Many of us have IRAs that are subject to a required minimum distribution (RMD) that may be taxed at regular earned income rates. You can avoid paying tax on the RMD amount you gift through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). Ask your IRA custodian. It is usually very easy and often automated. Note: discuss your individual tax situation with your tax advisor.

Thank you for considering supporting this scholarship fund.

McConn Scholarship Committee: Mike Berney ’70; oriole9826@aol.com; Pete Bronecke ‘73: pbronecke@verizon.net; Tom Vogelsong ‘76; tlvogelsong@gmail.com; Rich Wasch ’71; rswasch@gmail.com; Dave Watson ’71; watsonda@comcast.net