Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) recent ly announced that Comcast Corp. executive and Rowan alumnus Lawrence J. Salva and his wife, Rita, donated $1.055 million to CMSRU to establish the Lawrence & Rita Salva Medical Scholars Fund at Rowan. The Salvas’ pledge follows other early, generous contributions, including $250,000 from Dr. Michael Renzi and family, and $300,000 from the Schlitt physician family.
The Salva donation will establish a $1 million endowment to benefit CMSRU students. The additional $55,000 – and the earnings on the endowment – will provide $100,000 in scholarships for the medical school’s charter class.
Founding Dean Paul Katz, MD, expressed gratitude and noted the significant and lasting effect the recent donations will have. “Each and every patient that receives care from a CMSRU graduate benefits from the generosity of all of those who have given,” he said.
The gifts also put CMSRU in a more competitive position. “Since many of our accepted students were accepted by other medical schools, financial assistance is critical in attracting the most highly qualified students,” added Dr. Katz.
CMSRU recently launched its initial philanthropic initiative, The 2012 Legacy Society, giving those who recognize the importance of donating in the school’s early stages an opportunity to contribute. Giving levels start at $1000, and donors will be acknowledged in a permanent display in the new building. Membership in the 2012 Legacy Society will close in summer 2013.
For more information, visit www.rowan.edu/coopermed/giving or contact Patricia Vanston, CMSRU’s Associate Dean for Program and Business Development, at Vanston@rowan.edu.