Matching Opportunities

Born to immigrant parents and raised in Buffalo near UB’s South Campus, Salvatore (Sam) Privitera, BS ’88, navigated his educational journey with determination and grit. Though he grew up in modest circumstances, his family valued and prioritized education, setting the stage for a remarkable trajectory.

“Education was always an important imperative for my parents, and while they had limited opportunities—and very limited means—they invested in my sisters and me,” he says. “UB was a chance for me to get a great education without further burdening my parents [with heavy tuition costs]. I got to go to the school they saw every day. It was a full circle moment.”

Privitera earned his degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) in 1988. Now chief technical officer at AtriCure, Inc., he is making a profound impact on students whose stories mirror his through a substantial scholarship endowment. The generous gift of $500,000 from Privitera and his family, leveraged by the SUNY University Center Endowment Challenge, reflects not only a commitment to giving back but also a heartfelt dedication to nurturing the dreams of future students.

The Salvatore Privitera Scholarship is an endowed fund that will prioritize students with a demonstrated need for support and those who are children of immigrants, acknowledging the unique challenges they may encounter.

“This is a way of creating a little bit of equity, helping those individuals who don’t have the same financial wherewithal,” Privitera says. “This program helps give students the financial stability to concentrate on their studies and create a community that will give them the confidence they need to be successful.”

One distinctive aspect of the scholarship is a mentoring component. Designed to foster a network within the SEAS community, the fund will support four students each year, spanning from freshman to senior. Juniors and seniors will take on the role of mentors, guiding and assisting their younger counterparts.

Because the Privitera family took advantage of the SUNY endowment challenge program, they were able to turn their $500,000 gift into $750,000 with the State’s $250,000 matching contribution. “The matching program was an impetus for me and my family to do it now and to go much bigger because the program gives us a chance to influence many more people through the life of the endowment than it would have otherwise,” he says.

Privitera’s connection to Buffalo remains strong and the scholarship reflects his desire to give back to the community that shaped him. By empowering students with financial assistance, mentorship and a sense of community, he and his family hope to create a legacy that extends beyond individual accomplishments. 

Learn more about the SUNY University Center Endowment Match.