Kean University Medallion Society Member Stephen A. Dautel ’74 Establishes Endowed Scholarship to Support Students Now and in Future
June 25, 2025
Kean University has received a generous gift from Stephen A. Dautel ’74, a dedicated alumnus and long-standing member of the Kean University Medallion Society, to establish an endowed scholarship in his name.
The Stephen A. Dautel Endowed Scholarship will provide annual financial support to a junior or senior psychology student in need, ensuring that deserving students have access to the resources they need to succeed.
“Given that Kean’s psychology department enrolls the highest number of students on campus, this scholarship will have an important and far-reaching impact on deserving students at Kean in perpetuity,” said Dr. Jessica Thurlow, dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
This contribution reflects Dautel’s deep appreciation for the education he received at Kean and his commitment to ensuring that future generations of students have access to the same opportunities that shaped his own academic and professional journey.
Dautel looks back on his days at Kean as challenging and fun.
After graduating in 1974, he found that few companies were offering employment for liberal arts psychology majors. However, AT&T was hiring associates to learn their IBM magnetic card word processors that recorded and printed technical specs. Within a year he was offered a management position in personnel and after two years was given the opportunity to train as an IBM mainframe application programmer.
He continued building up technical expertise over the years and eventually joined forces with the sales and marketing departments to design, sell, and deliver new I.T. systems. Stephen said his psychology degree from Kean provided a great foundation and prepared him to communicate and negotiate with external customers and others throughout his career.
Although Dautel had already included a charitable bequest for Kean in his living trust, he chose to accelerate his impact by funding the scholarship now through a donor-advised fund. His decision allows students to begin benefiting from his generosity immediately, rather than waiting for the future. And, by establishing this scholarship during his lifetime, Dautel will have the opportunity to witness the impact of his philanthropy firsthand.
“Kean is a great university, and knowing that the University will manage, grow and continue this endowment in perpetuity is a really great feeling,” Dautel said.