Ithaca College

David '83 and Betsey '84 Lebow have established a scholarship in the Park School and have also made significant contributions to the Ithaca Fund and the A&E center. They experience a real sense of satisfaction in giving back to the College.

David Lebow and Betsey Ladd had their first date the day David graduated from IC. Casual friends, they agreed to meet downtown after Commencement. Expectations weren't high: David’s 16-year-old cousin tagged along.

"I thought it was going to be a quick trip to Plums, a nice bar on Aurora Street," David said. "But, obviously, that's not how it ended." Before he left town, David told Betsey he’d call in a week. "Instead, he called me four hours after he left Ithaca," Betsey said.

The budding relationship was a long-distance one until Betsey graduated a year later. They found jobs in the same cities, first in Los Angeles and then Chicago, and they married in 1986.

"What happened with Betsey and me is indicative of our relationship with the College," David said. "For me, it was always a place to be with people you considered family. For example, a group of us practically lived at the student radio station. We would be there until 3:00 a.m. because that's where we wanted to be. We improved things to the point where our ratings beat every commercial station in Ithaca. That a group of kids could do that is something I'll remember all my life."

"My closest friends at IC are among my closest friends today," he added. "The other day, I spoke with my college roommate. His son goes to IC. I also spoke with a dear friend from IC who experienced a terrible tragedy. Her 10-year-old son passed away a year ago from leukemia. As part of the tribute to his life, she wanted a bench put in Central Park. A bunch of friends from IC, along with her family, helped raise money for the bench. So, on good days and on bad, having these lifelong relationships is important to all of us."

In 2005 the Lebows established the David A. Lebow '83 and Betsey Ladd Lebow '84 Scholarship, which is awarded annually to an outstanding student in the Park School who has shown evidence of potential contributions in the field of communications, a commitment to the campus community, and financial need.

"After starting our scholarship, I met Laura Sievert, the first recipient," David said. "She is inspiring! Her entrepreneurial spirit, her drive to make IC work for her, her attitude, and the experience she gained by being at IC were motivational. If giving can help more people like Laura, then we want to do more."

The Lebows have also made significant contributions to the Ithaca Fund for Communications and the athletics and events center. "IC needs an A&E center," David said. "An incredible number of students participate in NCAA, intramural, and club sports. They need places to compete. Also, both our sons are high school athletes, and we recognize the importance sports plays in their social lives, their physical health, and their sense of mental balance.

"Giving is a two-way street," he added. "As it helps others at IC, we get motivated by the connection to the faculty, administration, and students. It creates a positive circle. The more we give, the more we like it. It continues to dawn on us, the responsibility we have to give back in life."