Family Legacy Serves as Foundation for Scholarship

Alumnus Kevin Kipers '76 with Ben Groman '20

Kevin R. Kipers ’76 met with scholarship recipient and software engineering major Ben Groman ’20 of Baldwinsville, N.Y., in April 2019 at the Shineman Center.

A family legacy of SUNY Oswego degrees reaching back to the 1940s played a key role in the decision of Kevin R. Kipers ’76 to help secure the futures of SUNY Oswego students.

“Numerous friends and relatives went on to successful careers after graduating from Oswego,” said Kipers of commemorating his SUNY Oswego education and related experiences, and the ways it all shaped his life—and the lives of family members. “My experience at Oswego directly led to an unexpected career path that was full of opportunity and enjoyment. After benefiting from programs and support at Oswego, it was an easy decision to establish support for students currently in attendance.”

Kipers joined the Sheldon Legacy Society and established the Kevin R. Kipers ’76 Endowed Scholarship to support engineering and computer science students who demonstrate academic commitment, leadership and good citizenship and who are a positive role model for others.

Membership in the Sheldon Legacy Society includes bequest intentions to the college such as insurance or retirement plan assets; Kipers’ current support through the scholarship is a direct reflection of the ways that his Oswego degree opened doors for him, he said.

“Computer classes taken at Oswego were directly responsible for the start of my career,” the economics major said. “Immediately after graduation I realized the value of those classes, and recalled the wisdom of an advisor’s strong recommendations to take computer classes. Subsequently, by considering career advice and options, I was afforded opportunities that I am ever grateful for.”

Early in his career, Kipers joined the New York Power Authority on a team of system analysts supporting a 24 x 7 system used by operators to monitor electric generation and transmission facilities. After 10 years in that group, he transitioned to coordinating efforts to monitor the planned and actual usage of municipal and industrial customers. In later years the deregulation of the electric energy market required significant changes, replacing and supporting new systems.

“Although full of challenges, the work with peers, other departments and vendors was rewarding,” the Oneida County, N.Y., native said. “My entire career was a period of learning—through information exchange with peers and other departments, formal classes and guidance from many co-workers.”

His selection of engineering and computer science students for scholarship assistance stems from his lifelong admiration of the people who “resolve technical challenges associated with everything from construction in ancient cities to landing on the moon,” he said.

Kipers retired in 2010. He serves as a committed alumnus, returning to campus to meet with students and participating in panels and classroom visits through the Alumni-In-Residence program.

“It is rewarding to see the work of the Oswego Alumni Association and to meet with enthusiastic students looking ahead to start their career or work towards an advanced degree,” Kipers said of returning to campus. “In discussions with the [scholarship] recipients and the campus students I met, I was impressed with their enthusiasm, self-confidence and interest in many activities.

“While the sunsets and snowstorms are memorable, my favorite memories revolve around the people I met and the fun we had along the way,” he said.

Learn more about establishing a scholarship at
oswego.edu/pathforward.