School of Business receives $10,000 pledge in memory of former administrator

NEW PALTZ — The School of Business at the State University of New York at New Paltz has received a $10,000 pledge in memory of Donald Bishko, a former dean of the School of Engineering and Business Administration – a predecessor to today’s School of Business and the School of Science and Engineering.

Patricia Bishko’s donation, which honors the 10th anniversary of her late husband’s death, was made to the School of Business endowment to support its educational activities.

"I am happy to provide this memorial to Don," said Patricia Bishko. "He would have loved the opportunity to enrich an already excellent business program."

Donald Bishko began working at SUNY New Paltz in 1982 as chairman of the Department of Business Administration and Economics. In 1985, he became director of the School of Engineering and Business Administration and chairman of the Department of Business Administration. In 1992, Bishko became dean of the School of Engineering and Business Administration, a position he held until 1995 when he became dean of Academic Advising at the college. Bishko died on March 7, 1998.

"Don Bishko touched so many students’ lives for the better through his teaching and academic leadership," said College President Steven Poskanzer. "It’s only fitting that his vision and commitment in shaping our Business School will now be tangibly memorialized in van den Berg Hall. Pat Bishko’s wonderful generosity will help us further strengthen our academic program, thus staying true to Don’s legacy."

The Don Bishko Memorial Scholarship was created in 1998 with an initial donation of $20,000 from the friends and family of Bishko. In recognition of its 10th year, Mrs. Bishko and the School of Business have been working with the college’s development office to double the scholarship amount. Donations are currently being made.

Each year, the $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a first-year or transfer business student. Preference is given to a School of Business student whose education was interrupted and is now returning to complete their degree.

"The scholarship has made a difference in the education of many students who were doing great in their studies and needed the financial support to pay for their expenses so they can concentrate on their courses," said Hadi Salavitabar, dean of the School of Business, who arrived at New Paltz in 1982 with Bishko.

To acknowledge the generous gift and Bishko’s work for the business program at New Paltz, the School of Business will dedicate a study area in the name of Donald Bishko.

For more information about the School of Business, visit www.newpaltz.edu/schoolofbusiness.