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New Paltz student, alumna find thousands in couch, return it

Pictured are SUNY New Paltz alumna Lara Russo '13, Cally Guasti, and SUNY New Paltz student Reese Werkhoven '15. Photo by Mike Groll, AP
Pictured are SUNY New Paltz alumna Lara Russo ’13, Cally Guasti, and SUNY New Paltz student Reese Werkhoven ’15. Photo by Mike Groll, AP.

SUNY New Paltz student Reese Werkhoven ’15 (Geology), alumna Lara Russo ’13 (Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies), and their roommate Callie Guasti made a surprising discovery after buying an old couch at the New Paltz Salvation Army—$40,000 in cash.

The story, trending worldwide, was first reported by SUNY New Paltz student Hobie Ramin ’14 (Journalism) of The Little Rebellion, a student-run publication at the College. The publication reports that the students located the owner, whose name was written on one of the envelopes found inside the couch containing cash, and returned the money.

According to the trio, the owner’s husband had given her money each week to store in the sofa before he died of heart problems. She kept it there for years but then was forced to undergo a heart operation. While she was at a rehab facility, her daughter sold the sofa to make way for a bed.

The owner, who is remaining anonymous, gave the students a $1,000 reward.

“We are proud of our students, and not just because of what they accomplish academically, but because of the exemplary people and citizens that they are,” said SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian.

To read the full story visit http://thelittlerebellion.com/index.php/2014/05/new-paltz-students-find-40k-in-a-couch/.

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