The $20 million gift that established a new scholarship program last fall was one of the 50 largest philanthropic donations of 2010.

The gift, which will go toward the Howard and Louise Phanstiel Scholar Program, was donated by 1970 alumnus Howie Phanstiel and wife Louise to Syracuse University and was ranked 48 among The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s 50 most generous donors. The list included 54 gifts because of ties in the rankings.

Overall, the gifts totaled $3.3 billion, but this is the smallest sum since the rankings began in 2000, according to a Feb. 6 article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy. In 2006, 18 people donated more than $100 million. In 2010, only nine people were ranked as giving more than that.

Included in the list are cumulative totals from each individual, not just the biggest donations of the year. The Phanstiels donated $20.02 million in 2010 to SU. This includes a pledged $20 million for the scholarship program and $20,000 to the Community Folk Art Center at SU, according to the Philanthropy 50 list.

That the scholarship donation made the list was not surprising to Youlonda Copeland-Morgan, associate vice president of enrollment management and director of scholarships and student aid at SU.

‘I’m never surprised by the Phanstiels’ generosity,’ said Copeland-Morgan, who said the couple has always been interested in charitable work and helping students at SU.

The Phanstiels have previously donated to SU and have long been involved with the university. Howie serves on the board of trustees and has been one of three co-chairs for The Campaign for SU since 2007. He also led 2008’s midyear fundraising effort Syracuse Responds.

The couple established the Phanstiel Chair in Strategic Management and Leadership in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with a gift of $5 million in 2006. The couple also donated $1.2 million to help finance the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center.

The university is still working to finalize some details of the scholarship, but most major details of the program are in place, Copeland-Morgan said.

The first class of Phanstiel scholars will enter in the fall, Copeland-Morgan said. There is no formal application process, but as with all merit-based scholarships, students are recommended throughout the application-reading process. The enrollment management division will make the final call on who is going to receive the scholarship.

The scholarship is open to middle-class students with a U.S. citizenship who have demonstrated potential for academic success and community leadership. Middle-class will be defined as families with an income at the top end of $175,000, Copeland-Morgan said. This amount was decided because it is considered the middle income of individuals applying to SU, she said. The national median income for the middle class is about $56,000.

By March, all applications will have been looked over, Copeland-Morgan said, and by April, Phanstiel scholars will have been selected. The task will take some time, as there were a record number of applicants to SU and for financial aid this year, she said.

Factors still in the works are identifying mentors for the Phanstiel scholar students, putting together groups and deciding on the location for the additional workshops the students will be required to attend, Copeland-Morgan said.

The program is designed to help students who would not be able to attend SU without the help of the couple’s donation, she said. The Phanstiels are also looking to inspire students to spread altruism and participate in the community.

‘They’re extremely generous folks,’ Copeland-Morgan said. ‘They’re committed to doing whatever they can to make this world a better place.’

dkmcbrid@syr.edu

Published on February 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Dara: dkmcbrid@syr.edu | @daramcbride