Coggin College of Business gift in the name of Shapiro

Dr. Edward Graham and his wife Lee have contributed $25,000 to the Coggin College of Business to establish the Stephen Shapiro Endowed Scholarship fund.

The generous donation is earmarked for students who qualify for the scholarship while they also merit consideration for outstanding performance in their studies. Graham chose to name the endowment after Shapiro in recognition of his guidance, mentorship and caring he showed him during his studies at the University of North Florida which has helped lead to his current position with the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Shapiro, who was part of the original founding of UNF and the original business school in 1972, said he was honored by the endowment in his name. 

“To be recognized by a former student and his wife in this way is really a tribute to Ed’s success as a student and professor. His remembering my small contribution to his career turned out to be life-changing for him and I am most proud that I contributed to his success,” Shapiro said. 

Graham said it seemed a natural move to name an endowment after a UNF business professor who was so influential in his life and career.

“We hope that students will be reminded of the influence a professor, or a program or an entire university, can have in directing or re-directing an individual’s energies,” Graham said. “Steve reminded me that I needed to keep my mind open… he helped me, changing my life. For all of this, I am eternally grateful.”