ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE RECEIVES $2M GIFT FOR STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

February 18, 2021

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – February 18, 2021 – St. Joseph’s College (SJC) is pleased to announce it has received a gift of $2 million from the estate of Frieda Englberger to establish the Frieda Englberger Endowed Scholarship Fund that will benefit SJC Long Island students who have one or more physical disabilities and are in need of financial assistance to continue their education at SJC. 

“This is one of the single largest gifts that the College has ever received, and we are so grateful to Ms. Englberger for enabling us to establish this scholarship fund that will assist students with physical disabilities,” said SJC President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D. “SJC is a truly inclusive environment and we are dedicated to providing all students with equal opportunities to learn. Throughout her life, Ms. Englberger was generous and devoted to service. We mourn her loss and commit ourselves to honoring her memory through the future generations of students who will benefit from her incredible generosity.”

Frieda Englberger grew up in Brooklyn, New York and was born with a physical disability. She suffered further injuries in a car accident as a child, and her ability to walk was severely impaired as a result. Frieda’s biological parents emigrated to the U.S. from Germany, raised foster children and ran a boarding house in Brooklyn. Described as generous, gracious and bright, Frieda spent most of her career working at Brookhaven National Laboratory as a biology associate, and was devoted to the service of others. Frieda, who lived on the East End of Long Island, had a passion for gardening and fondness for animals. Veterans also always held a special place in her heart, and over the years, received her support. When asked why she wanted to create a scholarship with her estate, Frieda answered that she wanted to give to those who needed her help. Frieda passed away in November 2020 at the age of 94.

SJC Long Island’s Office of Student Accessibility Services is committed to serving and empowering students in becoming their own best advocates. The goal of the Office of Student Accessibility Services is to equalize educational opportunities by supporting educational development and providing accommodations to ensure students receive equal access to all programs and services at SJC.

“The students I work with at St. Joseph's College are such phenomenal, hardworking individuals,” said Kathleen Blumenthal, director of SJC Long Island’s Office for Tutoring and Academic Development and Student Accessibility Services. “Over the years, I've continually seen them come into their own and flourish at SJC. The Frieda Englberger Endowed Scholarship Fund for students with physical disabilities opens up even more opportunities for these students to continue to excel and reach their goals.”

For more information about this scholarship fund, visit giving.sjny.edu.

ABOUT ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE
St. Joseph’s College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility and service. Through SJC Brooklyn, SJC Long Island and SJC Online, the College offers degrees in 50 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs.