The Mark Salkind Scholarship Fund

Mark Salkind's history is Urban's history — a narrative rooted in our core values of innovation, mutual respect and joyful discovery. As a Freshman walking through the doors on Urban's very first day in 1966, to cheering on the Blues in his namesake Salkind Center Gym, Mark has seen Urban from every vantage point and spent his career committed to Urban's highest ideals.

As a student on financial aid, Mark was struck by Urban's promise to "ignite a passion for learning" in a class taught by Bill Meyer, where he was inspired by author John Steinbeck. He found that a student's interest could lead the curriculum to new places and that at Urban, education could be as vital and dynamic as the students themselves.

That's why ensuring access to an Urban education for talented and deserving students is so near and dear to Mark. Under his leadership, Urban has grown its financial aid budget to $3.8 million, benefitting 29% of Urban students.

To commemorate Mark's retirement from Urban after 32 years as Head of School, Urban is launching a campaign for the Mark Salkind Scholarship Fund, an endowed fund established in 2011 to support accessibility through financial aid. This year, we are inviting our alumni community to join us in creating a lasting legacy in Mark's honor.

Every gift to the Mark Salkind Scholarship Fund ensures that an Urban education will be available to talented and deserving students in perpetuity and sustains Urban's strong, inclusive community for the next generation!