The Sanford "Sandy" Robinson, Jr. Memorial Endowed Fund was created in January 2014 to celebrate the life of a Falk alumnus and beloved son, brother, and friend.

Since its establishment with a $25,000 gift from the Robinson family through the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, the endowment has been supplemented by additional gifts of $12,500 in 2021 and 2022. Sandy's mother, Judy Robinson, and her children, Heather and David, generously share support of the fund. 

Administered by a Falk committee chaired by the school’s director, the endowment provides Falk students with tuition support to lessen the financial burden on their families. For Judy, helping students with the fund has also been a source of healing since Sandy’s tragic death in 2010.

Judy says her son was always successful and very happy at Falk and that the school continues to mean a great deal to her family today. Between their three children, the Robinsons attended several educational institutions throughout Pittsburgh, from public schools to Winchester to community day school. “The most wonderful experience was the Falk School,” Judy shares. “I say that unequivocally.” When asked what she believes makes a Falk education so special, she expressed, “It’s the really intelligent care that the staff and administration exhibit for every child—I think it’s remarkable.” 

Each year, the income from the endowment is awarded to financially deserving students in the form of tuition assistance. Effort is put forth to support the same students until their graduation from Falk so that the Robinson family can see their growth and development from year to year. Judy says she is “so pleased with the [award recipients] and the way they’ve responded and been in touch.” She even has a framed photo of one of the first recipients in her home.

Judy, a Pittsburgh poet and author, was invited to Falk in April 2024 to spend time with faculty, students, and Falk Director Dr. Jill Sarada. In Falk’s library, Judy and the students celebrated Poetry Month by reading their poems aloud to one another and inducting Judy’s books of poetry into the Falk library collection. Also in the Falk library is a photo of Mt. Rushmore, taken by the late Sandy Jr. on September 11, 2001, and donated to the school before his passing. Judy says her son's photograph serves as a metaphor for resilience; despite all the broken rocks and destruction, the monument still stands. “Being at Falk always makes me feel close to him,” she adds. 

Read more about Falk Laboratory School scholarships and funds on our Funds page.