The Youngstown State University Foundation announced Monday that a new endowment fund was established by the Sniderman Family for the YSU English Festival.

The endowment was created by his wife Marilyn Sniderman and his children Lani, Andy and Peter. 

According to the release," The Stephen Sniderman English Festival Endowment will fund monetary prizes and other expenses related to the Writing Games," an activity of the YSU English Festival.

It also states that from this point, the Writing Games activity will be renamed the Stephen Sniderman Memorial Writing Games to honor his memory. 

Sniderman taught at YSU in its English Department for 41 years and retired in 2010. He died last October. 

He was one of the earliest members of the English Festival Committee, serving the Festival for 40 years, according to the release.

The YSU Foundation, on behalf of the family, said," The family requested that the amount remain private but suffice to say it was a generous donation."

Additional contributions from individuals wishing to honor Stephen Sniderman's legacy may do so by donating to the YSU Foundation website by clicking here or by following these steps:

  1. Click on "Give Now".
  2. Click on "Donate Online".
  3. List "The Stephen Sniderman English Festival Endowment" in the Gift Details box to direct the donation to the fund. 

"The English Festival at YSU wouldn't have been what it is today without the energy and enthusiasm he had for the festival for so many years. This endowment will ensure that his passion for reading and the English Festival will live on for generations to come," said YSU Foundation Senior Development Officer Andrew Zajac.