Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award
Steven Grossman ’61, HON’22
Greenwich, Connecticut
College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Steven Grossman has been a transformative philanthropic leader at the University of Vermont, helping propel the Grossman School of Business to national and international prominence. Through his personal philanthropy and the Grossman Family Foundation, he has contributed or inspired more than $90 million in support of UVM, with a sustained focus on strengthening faculty, expanding opportunities for students, and preparing the next generation of business leaders.

A 1961 graduate of UVM with a degree in manufacturing and management engineering, Steven spent 46 years at Southern Container Corporation, the family business founded by his grandfather. Under his leadership as CEO, the company grew to become one of the largest independent U.S. manufacturers of corrugated packaging, graphics packaging, and containerboard. His approach to business emphasized the value of people: Southern Container fostered an employee-centered culture in which employees and their families were supported and encouraged to thrive. His philanthropic career began there, with college scholarships for employees’ children.

Grossman brought that same philosophy of investing in people to UVM. Beginning with his service on the School of Business Board of Advisors and continuing through decades of close engagement with the university, he has provided not only extraordinary financial support but also strategic counsel and a deep personal commitment to the institution. His philanthropy helped expand the business school’s faculty, strengthen its undergraduate curriculum, establish areas of excellence in entrepreneurship, sustainable business, and family business, and launch the Sustainable Innovation MBA. The school was named the Grossman School of Business in 2015 in recognition of his visionary support.

The impact of Grossman’s leadership continues through endowed faculty positions, scholarships, experiential learning, and innovative academic programs. His support has helped attract world-class scholars and establish UVM as a leader in sustainable business and family enterprise. More recently, the Grossman Family Foundation supported the creation of a major undergraduate business co-op program, extending his commitment to connecting education with real-world experience.

Steven has served the university as a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Leadership Council. In 2022, UVM awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his philanthropic leadership and wise programmatic counsel that has helped the Grossman School become a leader in business education.

Since 2012, the UVM Foundation has presented this award to deserving individuals or couples who have demonstrated a passionate commitment to furthering the efforts of philanthropy at UVM through their leadership, vision, volunteerism, and personal philanthropy. Recipients of this award must be lifetime members of the Ira Allen Society with demonstrated impact promoting and expanding philanthropy that supports the University of Vermont.