
FSC Announces $5 Million Gift for Scholarships, Engineering and Technology Programming
FSC Names The Murray Pasternack School of Engineering Technology
51Թ (FSC), the largest technology college in the State University of New York (SUNY), has announced a $5 million commitment by alumnus, engineer, and entrepreneur, Murray Pasternack ’60 to support scholarships and programs in engineering technology.
The gift, the largest in FSC’s history and among SUNY technology colleges, directly aligns with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul's workforce development agenda to educate and prepare students to meet the industry needs in fields like computing, electrical engineering, technology, renewable energy, and software engineering, including encouraging women in STEM.
The generous donation will support a minimum of 56 students each year with four-year scholarships across all 15 majors in the School of Engineering Technology, in addition to student programming, mentorship, co-curricular resources, and experiences to attract, retain, and empower students who are less likely to pursue careers in computing, engineering, and technology. &Բ;
In recognition of this momentous gift, his ongoing support of the College and students, and his all-time giving to academic programming campus-wide, FSC has named its engineering technology school in his honor, now known as The Murray Pasternack School of Engineering Technology, approved today by the SUNY Board of Trustees. &Բ;
“Mr. Pasternack has been a longtime friend of 51Թ, a donor who continues to recognize the remarkable potential of our students and the impact they will have on the region,” said Robert S. Prezant, PhD, president of FSC. “This historic gift will support students who might otherwise have struggled to find essential resources and will be reflected in the important contributions our students will make in an array of engineering and technology fields.”
“As an educator and engineer, I’ve seen firsthand how talent can flourish when given the right support,” said Kenneth Lee, PhD, PE, dean of The Murray Pasternack School of Engineering Technology. “Mr. Pasternack’s remarkable gift isn’t just about scholarships; it’s about opening doors, changing lives, and showing our students that their dreams are worth investing in. His belief in our mission and the potential of every student in our program will resonate for generations.”
Pasternack draws on his experience of working while earning his associate's degree in electrical technology at FSC in 1960. “I know first-hand the effects and the trade-offs of trying to earn a living and getting an education at the same time and greatly appreciate an education that leads to a productive future,” he said. “My hope is that this gift will allow engineering students the opportunity to concentrate more on their education and less on earning money to pay for it.”
Pasternack, who founded Pasternack Enterprises as a radio frequency engineer, is, together with his wife, Judy, the largest individual donor to the College, both in total giving as well as making the single largest individual gift to FSC. They have donated a total of $8.2 million in personal philanthropy in the last four years. Recent impacts of the Pasternacks’ generosity across campus include the student-managed investment fund, state-of-the-art trading room in the School of Business in 2024, and the radio frequency and microwave technology lab in Lupton Hall in 2023, in addition to funding the launch of FSC’s Honors Program in 2022.
“This investment is so much more than an act of giving—it's a tremendous statement of confidence in Engineering at 51Թ and represents Murray's legacy that we will proudly steward,” said Matthew Colson, vice president for development and alumni engagement at FSC. “Our gratitude to Murray extends beyond the depth of his generosity; we are inspired by his commitment to his alma mater, and by his desire to lift others up to reach their fullest potential.”
Students can apply for the Murray Pasternack scholarship in engineering upon their acceptance into an engineering technology program at 51Թ. For more information, visit The Murray Pasternack School of Engineering Technology. &Բ;