Irma Giustino Weiss A'45 Challenge

Irma Giustino Weiss Challenge

Irma Giustino Weiss, a 1945 School of Art graduate, was a believer. She believed in the extraordinary experience that is a Cooper Union education. She believed in the professional and civic contributions of Cooper’s generations of makers, leaders, doers and thinkers. And she believed in giving back. For more than 30 years, Irma supported Cooper financially to sustain and enrich opportunities for students.

Now, with one of the largest bequests in Cooper Union’s history, Irma’s estate will match all new and increased donations, up to $4 million, that will directly support students through the Irma Giustino Weiss endowment. This effectively doubles the impact of your contributions. We have already raised over $2.2 million—help us continue Irma's legacy and reach our goal.

Together with Irma’s Challenge, your gift can power $8 million in new funding for The 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.