YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State University Foundation announced recently the Stephen Sniderman English Festival Endowment, a new endowment fund established by the Sniderman Family, including his wife Marilyn and children Lani, Andy and Peter, for the YSU English Festival.

“We are proud of our dad’s legacy of creativity and education. He had an incredibly fertile mind, and we’re honored to share his vision and passion with future generations,” said Peter Sniderman, the older son of Stephen.

Stephen Sniderman taught in YSU’s English Department for 41 years, retiring in 2010. He was one of the earliest members of the English Festival Committee and joined the English Festival Advisory Board upon his retirement, serving the Festival for a total of 40 years. Sniderman spread joy at festival meetings and was dedicated to advancing young people’s love of reading and appreciation of writing. At festival awards ceremonies, his traditional spot was by the stairs at the edge of the stage, where he would be among the first people to congratulate the hundreds of festival contestant winners each year.

The Stephen Sniderman English Festival Endowment will fund monetary prizes and other expenses of the Writing Games, one of the most popular and engaging activities at the festival, consistent with Sniderman’s long-time interest in both games and writing. Hereafter, the Writing Games will be named the Stephen Sniderman Memorial Writing Games to honor his memory.

“Dr. Sniderman was dedicated to teaching young people and loved passing along his passion for books to others,” said YSU Foundation Senior Development Officer Andrew Zajac. “The English Festival at YSU wouldn’t have been what it is today without the energy and enthusiasm he had for the festival for so many years. This endowment will ensure that his passion for reading and the English Festival will live on for generations to come.”

As the Stephen Sniderman Endowment is being set up at the YSU Foundation, additional contributions are invited to those who wish to honor Stephen Sniderman’s legacy and advance the aims of the YSU English Festival, now in its 47th year. To donate, visit the YSU Foundation’s website, click on “Give Now” and “Online Donation” and include “The Stephen Sniderman English Festival Endowment” in the gift details to direct the donation to the fund.