Canisius College's Donor Profile: Patrick P. Lee

MARCH 12, 2019 (as published in the Canisius College newsletter)

BUFFALO, NY - Patrick P. Lee HON ’99 first learned about the importance of giving back from his grandmother.

“When I was a child, living in Paris, France, in the 1940s, my grandmother took me to Mass every day,” Lee recalls.  “As we left Church, she would give coins to those in need. Although we did not have much at that time, she always found a way to help others less fortunate.”

The memory of his grandmother’s kindness remained with Lee throughout his life and led him to become one of Western New York’s most benevolent philanthropists. Canisius is a longtime beneficiary of Lee’s generosity. 

Most recently, the former chair and CEO of the worldwide conglomerate International Motion Control (IMC) established the Lee Foundation Scholarship Program at the college.  The $2 million endowment supports Canisius students who study finance, computer science, mathematics, statistics or physics, and demonstrate financial need.  The goal is to promote the education of the engineering mindset.

“As an engineer, I know the value of a science degree,” Lee says.  “It’s a field that encourages students to be innovative and more importantly, positions them for professional success in high-demand fields.”

Post-secondary education is a key area to which Lee directs his charitable giving. 

He attended college through the War Orphans Education Program that provided tuition assistance to the children of military men and women killed during World War II. 

“It was a tremendous help to my mother and because of the education I received, I was able to secure my first job and eventually start my own company,” Lee states.

Though not a Canisius alumnus, Lee is Jesuit-educated. He attended Creighton Preparatory, a Jesuit High School for young men in Omaha, NE, and Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, which is part Saint Louis University, a Catholic, Jesuit institution. 

“A Jesuit education teaches the importance of both professional achievement and giving back to the community,” Lee explains.  “It is a commitment to excellence, leadership and service to others.”

These qualities are exemplified by the Lee Scholars, who recently had the opportunity to meet their benefactor. 

Among them is Anna G. Costa ’20, whose private school loans were considerably lessened upon becoming a scholarship recipient.  Now she is able to pursue a dual degree in finance and marketing, and achieve her dream “of teaching financial literacy to low-income people so they can understand their finances and grow confident in their own abilities,” she says, adding that she’s grateful to Lee for his generosity.

The Lee Foundation Scholarship relieved the financial burdens of Dimitrios N. Kokkinis ’20.   Before receiving his award, the computer science major worked year-round to afford college.  With more free-time available, Kokkinis is able to take advantage of internship and shadowing opportunities in IT departments throughout Buffalo, and volunteer with the college’s Sandwich Ministry. 

“The Lee Foundation Scholarship is enabling me to complete my education so that one day I will be able to use my passion for technology to help others,” Kokkinis adds.  “I couldn’t be more grateful.”

The Lee Foundation Scholarship Program at Canisius awards two scholarships of $10,000 each to freshmen who demonstrate financial need and commit to excel in one of the targeted majors.  The scholarships are renewable over four years.  Additionally, the program awarded eight $10,000 scholarships in its inaugural year to juniors and seniors in the targeted majors who were at risk of not completing their educations. 

Patrick Lee established the Lee Foundation Scholarship Program at Canisius in memory of his late son, Patrick Warn Lee. 

“In many ways, Pat embodied the Jesuit values.  He was incredibly bright, the first to lend a hand and an active volunteer at his church,” Lee recalls.  “Creating a scholarship in his memory at Canisius allowed us to honor his love of learning and help others achieve their goals.”