Recent NYU graduate Jonathan A. Lerner (CAS '07) and his family's foundation have made a contribution to establish a new permanent fund for the Department of Religious Studies at the College of Arts and Science. The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Fund for Religious Studies will be used to enrich the Department's offerings by supporting faculty research and travel grants, student research scholarships, undergraduate instruction and course support, symposia and conferences, lecture series, and other special events
"Jonathan had such a wonderful experience at NYU and he urged our family to contribute to the school that means so much to him," says Mark D. Lerner, Jonathan's father. "It was really Jonathan's desire to give something back. Giving to the Religious Studies Department was his idea, and the entire family was unanimous in our support."
Jonathan earned a degree in both Religious Studies and also Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies from the College in the spring of 2007. He is now working toward a law degree at Georgetown University Law Center and believes that his undergraduate studies prepared him for his future career in law. "My classes were really eye opening," he says. "Religious Studies teaches you to be open minded and to listen, analyze, and think before you speak."
"We want the Fund to provide the Department with a foundation that will help it grow in the years to come," Jonathan adds. "I hope the Fund will help bring together people who want to learn more about religion and bring more attention to the Department."