Victor Boris '77: Achieve, Lead, Serve

Victor Boris '77 embodies Susquehanna University's maxim of achieve, lead, and serve.

Vic always had a passion for everything music. Hailing from Shamokin, his musical interests started at home and grew as a Navy musician graduating from the Navy School of Music. After leaving the Navy, he quickly found a new home at Susquehanna where he could expand his musical horizons. Galen Deibler, emeritus professor of music at Susquehanna, receives credit for being Vic's muse-and Vic often refers to Galen as his "great inspiration." As a part of the SU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Professor of Music Victor Rislow, and the University Choir, directed by Emeritus Professor Cyril Stretansky, his musical abilities were fostered.

Since graduating in 1977 with a bachelor of arts in music education, Vic has honed his abilities and is now a professional entertainer for nearly five decades. He performs solo or as part of the Vic Boris Trio and serves the communities in and around Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, by volunteering to play the piano and sing at local nursing homes in the Shamokin area, directing high school plays and musicals, teaching piano lessons, helping with the community theatre, and lending a hand wherever it is needed. He was also instrumental in organizing the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center Theatre.

To round out Vic's leadership roles, he is also an adjunct professor in Susquehanna's music and communications departments. He teaches popular classes like Introduction to Film, Rock Music and Society, and piano classes. He finds this as one of the most rewarding parts of his career. Vic has a profound connection to Susquehanna and wanted to give back to the university.

He established the Victor Boris '77 Music Scholarship Endowment, which will give preference to a music student who is in need of financial aid. To initially fund the endowment, Vic made a stock transfer to SU and received significant tax savings. To ensure that the endowment will grow well into the future, he made Susquehanna the beneficiary of his retirement plan.