Local couple's generosity helps transform Laker lives

For Julie Oh and Neelesh "Neel" Shah, the connection to SUNY Oswego isn't found in a diploma or an alumni directory. Instead, it is rooted in the soil of the local community and a deep-seated belief that a university is a vital resource for everyone it touches.

Shah, the president and CEO of the healthcare software company Performance Logic, grew up in Oswego, where his parents, the late Manjula and Ravindra Shah, were well-known physicians and active community members. Though Julie and Neel now split their time between New York City and a home in Minetto, their commitment to the region has only deepened over time.

“I didn’t attend SUNY Oswego,” Neel said. “But I felt like it was such an important part of my childhood that it’s important for us to support it as community members.”

Gateway for education

The couple's philanthropic journey with the university reached a new level through a chance hiring. Seeking to fill a position at Performance Logic, Shah reached out to the university and was introduced to Antonio Bradley, a math major and first-generation student from East Harlem. Bradley, who had never been out of New York City before attending Oswego, showed immediate promise all the way to his 2019 graduation and beyond.

“He was completely raw, young … now he is a valuable team member driving our advances in data sciences,” Shah said, adding that Bradley’s success at the company helped inspire their first scholarship. “It’s very clear that if you can change that trajectory, I mean … it’s not just for that one person. It’s for generations.”

This belief in the power of social mobility led to the establishment of the Julie Oh and Neelesh Shah Opportunities Scholarship, which provides financial aid to first-generation students from identified New York City districts.

Oh said that first-generation college students often carry significant family responsibilities, even while at school, which creates additional stress and makes their college experience fundamentally different from that of peers, especially when it comes to transportation, access and family support.

For Oh, the motivation is simple: “We fundamentally believe that education is the gateway,” she said. “When people talk about upward mobility, I can't think of anything that is a bigger driver of that than education. That's the lever.”

Legacy of giving

The couple's impact is visible across campus. Through the Tarandi Foundation, established in memory of Shah’s parents, they support the Dr. Manjula Ravindra Shah Memorial Scholarship for Communication Studies majors — named in honor of Neel and his sister Monica’s mother, who took classes in the department after retiring from medicine.

More recently, after attending a student production on campus, they established the Oh-Shah Family Student Theater and Art Endowed Fund. This fund provides the dean of the College of Communication, Media and the Arts with resources to support student groups and professional development.

Oh recalled the performance that inspired the gift: “What we liked about it is that it’s a vehicle for the kids ... to be able to perform, but also for people within the community to be able to enjoy. It’s that intersection between the community and the university.”

Transforming student experiences

The Oh-Shah family’s philanthropy is characterized by its immediacy and personal touch. During a 2025 Scholars Brunch, Shah met two of their scholarship recipients and asked a pointed question: How much remained on their tuition balances for the year? Upon learning the remaining costs, they didn't hesitate to provide additional "current use" funds to clear the balances entirely.

“Just the thought or the smiles on both of their faces in terms of the relief that it takes away... I think that’s the bigger deal,” said Shah, who serves on the Richard S. Shineman Foundation Board of Directors. “If it means that they can join an extracurricular group or focus more on their studies, every penny is worth it.”

Shah shared how one of his scholarship recipients wanted to accept an internship in Binghamton, but had to choose between paying for new tires for their car or making the trip. Relieving that financial burden enables students to maximize their SUNY Oswego experience.

“We hope that our support for SUNY Oswego has a snowball effect,” Shah said. “If we can inspire five more people to think about contributing to the university … that’s what matters.”

Oh describes their philosophy as one of balance and responsibility.

“I just don't want [our kids] to be just takers,” she said. “Life is all about give and take... the only way that some people can take is if other people give. There needs to be a certain type of equilibrium.”

A resource for all

By investing in SUNY Oswego, Oh and Shah hope to inspire others — alumni and neighbors alike — to see the university as a pillar of the region that deserves collective support. Whether it is helping a student from East Harlem navigate their first year or ensuring a theater group has the resources to shine, the couple is proving that you don't need to be a graduate to be a part of the Laker family.

As Shah puts it, the goal is for the university and the city to be "synonymous," just as they were when he was a high school student studying in Penfield Library or swimming at Laker Hall every Saturday morning.

Oh added that she also hopes that the surrounding community takes advantage of the rich cultural contributions and arts programming the university provides to the region.

“The university is such an important part of the community, and it’s important for us to support it as community members,” Shah said. “We hope that others can see that every gift to SUNY Oswego can make a big difference for students. We know that our donations to SUNY Oswego will be used correctly. They will make a difference.”

-- Submitted by University Advancement