The Estate of Robert Ehrmann '78

Through a gift from his estate, late alumnus Robert Ehrmann ’78 left SUNY Empire State University the largest gift in the university’s history with a $1.69 million bequest. This legacy gift, received in December 2022, will provide student scholarships and critical funds that will further the university’s mission and expand access to education for the students and communities we serve.

Mr. Ehrmann, who was originally from New York but lived in Alpharetta, GA at the time of his death, was a student at the Northeast Center in Latham, NY during the college’s early days. He received his undergraduate degree in 1978 in Business Management and Economics, and went on to pursue a career as a sales manager for industrial manufacturer Rockwell Automation/Intecolor before retiring in 2000. Bob was grateful for his SUNY Empire degree, in that it taught him to write and advanced him professionally in the field of engineering and computer science. Bob and his wife Kathy lived outside of Atlanta, Georgia and they reconnected with the college in the early 2000s by attending a regional alumni event held in their area.

After meeting with SUNY Empire staff members at a SUNY-wide event in Atlanta in 2003, Mr. Ehrmann became more involved with the college and offered to help involve more local alumni in regional events. His estate gift is the largest ever received by SUNY Empire.