Dear Friends of The Cooper Union, 

Today is the 162nd anniversary of the founding of The Cooper Union. Anniversaries are a great time to reflect and take stock of what has changed around us, and I’ve realized that my relationship with Cooper has evolved over the past 20 years. As a young alumnus, I appreciated the incredible opportunities my education afforded me, but I had yet to fully appreciate Peter Cooper’s intent.  As a Trustee, I had the opportunity to work with fellow board members to update the institution’s mission statement.  During this process, I came to understand that the school was intended not only as a gift to its students, but also to society at large through the impact of its alumni.  

"...I desire to make this institution contribute in every way to aid the efforts of youth to acquire useful knowledge, and to find and fill that place in the community where their capacity and talents can be usefully employed with the greatest possible advantage to themselves and the community in which they live." 

Peter Cooper, Letter To The Trustees, April 29, 1859 

Peter Cooper sought to provide an exceptional and accessible education to students from all walks of life, but he saw this project as a means to a greater end – to make the world more enlightened, inclusive, and progressive. It’s clear that his vision has been and continues to be realized when you consider our alumni. Our list of graduates includes some of the most impressive innovators, leaders, creators, and builders of any school in the world, and we only graduate about 200 students each year! 

Beginning this May, we will release a series of features demonstrating how significantly the art, science, and infrastructure of the world around us have been made possible by a Cooper Union education. We hope this will inspire people – those of us who know the school first-hand and those who are not yet familiar with Cooper – to support this incredible institution. Stay tuned to see how Cooper Union and our incredible community have shaped  so many aspects of our history and continue to do so for our present and future. 

I am pleased to report that despite all of the challenges of this past year, The Cooper Union is on a positive trajectory.  The strength of goodwill within the Cooper community and increasing support from those who are new to Cooper bode well for our success.  Cooper’s faculty and staff are planning for a return to in-person, on-campus learning for the fall 2021 semester, and we are on track to meet financial goals for the fourth consecutive year.  But to get there, Cooper needs all of us. 

Our goal is to raise $1.1 million by the end of this fiscal year.  

Your gift by June 30, 2021 can make all the difference.  

I have been making gifts to Cooper’s Annual Fund since 1998.  Being involved as a donor has made me feel truly invested in our community’s shared goals from enriching resources and student experiences to increasing student scholarships and returning to tuition free. I ask you to join me as an active partner in sustaining Peter Cooper’s vision and in helping us reach our fundraising goal this year.  Your contribution today of any size expands our resources for the next generation of innovators who will make their mark first at Cooper, and then on the world.

With gratitude, 

Malcolm King EE’97
Chair of the Board of Trustees