A Brief History

In the summer of 2005, a small group of former students of Leslie Laskey began exploring the idea of establishing an endowment fund for the purpose of honoring Professor Laskey.

In November 2005 at a reception for Leslie hosted by Geoff Prentiss in Seattle, the idea made its first public appearance and initial pledges began the fund in earnest.

A group of seven former students developed a program and in September 2006 formally established the fund at the University.

On September 30, 2006 at an event in St. Louis, the founding group officially announced the Fund and the Laskey Award to a gathering of over one hundred of Leslie’s friends. This first formal fund-raiser generated $25,000. Since then additional pledges and contributions have brought the fund’s current endowment to over $90,000.