UTICA, NY – After more than half a century of teaching, mentoring, and serving the SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) community, Professor Ronald Sarner and his wife, Patricia, have created a $25,000 endowed scholarship to support future generations of SUNY Poly students.

The newly established Ronald and Patricia A. Sarner Scholarship will provide financial assistance to first-generation undergraduate students in the computer science program.

Professor Sarner is beginning his 53rd year at SUNY Poly this fall, where he has taught thousands of students while serving in numerous faculty leadership and shared governance roles throughout his distinguished career. Patricia Sarner dedicated 31 years of service to the State University of New York, including more than two decades at SUNY Poly, making the scholarship a reflection of the couple’s longstanding commitment to the university and its students.

“Education changed the course of our lives, and we have spent our careers seeing it do the same for countless SUNY Poly students,” Ron and Pat Sarner said. “We hope this scholarship helps make those opportunities possible for future Wildcats and encourages them to pursue their dreams with confidence.”

“Ron and Pat Sarner have devoted so much of their lives to the success of SUNY Poly and our students,” said Andrea LaGatta, SUNY Poly Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “This scholarship is a remarkable expression of their generosity and belief in the transformative power of education. Their gift will help open doors for students, particularly those who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree, and their legacy will continue to make a meaningful difference for generations of Wildcats.”

Those interested in establishing a scholarship or exploring additional ways to support SUNY Poly through major gifts are encouraged to contact Andrea LaGatta at andrea.lagatta@sunypoly.edu.