Leonard Trentin

AR '37

Architect and alumnus, Leonard E. Trentin, AR’37 left a remarkably generous bequest to his alma mater…His legacy gift is among the largest bequests in Cooper Union’s history and establishes the Leonard E. Trentin Endowment Fund. Half of the income from the fund will be used to support current and future students enrolled at the college and half will support the general purposes of the institution. The Seventh Floor Sky Bridge at 41 Cooper Square has been named in his honor and in celebration of his generosity and commitment to his alma mater. Ms. Leslie Corn and Mr. Roger Joslyn, co-executors of Mr. Trentin’s estate, who gifted the items, recently conveyed, “There was nothing that meant more to Mr. Trentin than his Army career and Cooper Union.”

Leonard Trentin

Leonard E. Trentin (AR ’37) left a remarkably generous bequest to his alma mater. His legacy gift is among the largest bequests in Cooper Union’s history and establishes the Leonard E. Trentin Endowment Fund. Half of the income from the fund will be used to support current and future students enrolled at the college and half will support the general purposes of the institution. The Seventh Floor Sky Bridge at 41 Cooper Square has been named in his honor and in celebration of his generosity and commitment to his alma mater.In addition to Mr. Trentin’s tremendous bequest, the college was also given some of his personal effects, including his Cooper Union diploma, his 1935 and 1937 yearbooks (The Cable), and his original license to practice architecture in the State of New York. Ms. Leslie Corn and Mr. Roger Joslyn, co-executors of Mr. Trentin’s estate, who gifted the items, recently conveyed,  “There was nothing that meant more to Mr. Trentin than his Army career and Cooper Union.”

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.