Robert ’70 and Leslie Turner Commit $125,000 to Establish the Dr. John and Mrs. Marietta Blasi Fellowship in Ethics at Le Moyne

A $125,000 gift from Dr. Robert ’70 and Mrs. Leslie Turner will establish the Dr. John and Mrs. Marietta Blasi Fellowship in Ethics. This gift reflects the Turners’ deep commitment to Le Moyne’s Jesuit mission and their steadfast belief in the transformative power of teaching.

For more than three decades, Bob and Leslie have been among Le Moyne’s most devoted advocates. Bob, a first-generation college student and a 1970 Le Moyne graduate, has long championed access to education. He served on Le Moyne’s Board of Trustees for 12 years, including three years as chair, and received the College’s Ignatian Award for Service in 1995 and the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2000. Together, the Turners have generously supported Le Moyne for more than 37 years, most recently establishing the Smith Sisters Endowed Scholarship Fund in 2023 in memory of Bob’s mother and aunt.

Their newest philanthropic endeavor, the Dr. John and Mrs. Marietta Blasi Fellowship in Ethics, honors the legacy of their friend and former colleague, Dr. John F. Blasi, a towering figure in Le Moyne’s history (shown above in an undated photo.) A member of the Le Moyne class of 1954, Dr. Blasi served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to the College, where he held several senior leadership roles, including registrar, dean of admissions, dean of students and vice president of student personnel.

Dr. Blasi’s lifelong commitment to service and education left an indelible mark on the College. He was a tireless advocate for students especially veterans and first-generation ​students and his groundbreaking doctoral research laid the foundation for the national Upward Bound program, which Le Moyne continues to host today. John and Marietta’s home was an extension of the College campus, welcoming faculty and students alike to their dining room table for sumptuous meals and engaging conversation.

His extraordinary impact was recognized time and again by the Le Moyne community. He was the first layperson to receive a yearbook dedication, to deliver the College’s commencement address, and to be honored with the Le Moyne College Distinguished Alumnus Award.

“This gift is both a tribute and a call to purpose,” said President Linda LeMura. “It reflects the Turners’ deep friendship with Dr. Blasi and their shared commitment to the values at the heart of Le Moyne’s mission: ethical leadership, academic excellence and service to others. Through this fellowship, Dr. Blasi’s legacy will continue to inspire faculty, strengthening our community and the Jesuit ideals that guide it.”

The fellowship will support faculty members in the Madden College of Business and Economics and the Carroll College of Arts and Sciences who integrate ethics into their teaching and scholarship. It will provide resources for academic research, including attendance at scholarly conferences, field and archival study, and dedicated time for research during summer and intersession periods. Through this support, Le Moyne faculty will be better equipped to elevate the role of ethical inquiry in their disciplines, advancing the College’s mission to develop men and women for and with others.

“We are honored to carry forward Dr. Blasi’s legacy through this fellowship,” said ​Bob. “John was a dear friend and an inspiring example of ethical leadership in education. We hope this fund will help faculty instill in students the same sense of integrity, compassion, and service that defined John and Marietta’s lives.”

“Ethics are central to everything we do at the College,” said Jim Joseph ’83, Ed.D. ‘23, vice president for advancement and innovation. “This fellowship enables our faculty to deepen their scholarship, inspire their students, and continue to lead with integrity. We are grateful to the Turners for their visionary support.”