Announcing the Scarsdale Bowl 2022 Honoree:
TERRY K. SINGER, EXCEPTIONAL VOLUNTEER
Terry Singer combines tireless effort and broad expertise with a modest and collaborative nature, making her the consummate volunteer. Many elements of life in Scarsdale have been greatly improved by Terry’s spirit and desire to serve. She constantly seeks ways to do more, to help more, and to involve and bring us together.
Raised in Great Neck, New York, Terry grew up in a community that valued education. The daughter of a mechanical engineer and an antique dealer, and having an interest in fine arts, Terry was inspired to study design at Cornell University. She then pursued a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, Terry worked at several architectural firms having a range of focus that included historic restoration, renovation, residential and corporate projects.
Terry has been involved in community service since she moved to Scarsdale with her husband, Paul, more than thirty years ago. When her children were young, Terry served on the Board of Trustees of Kids' B.A.S.E & The Little School, as Heathcote Elementary School PTA President, and then as Scarsdale High School PTA Vice President. Terry was highly regarded and brought together board members, administrators and parents alike. At Heathcote, she was instrumental in initiating the popular Learning to Look Program. At Scarsdale High School, she was Chair of the PTA Scholarship Fund for College.
Terry broadened the scope of her public service by using her architectural experience to serve on and chair various Scarsdale Village Boards and Councils. From 1991 on, Terry has taken on pivotal roles serving as Chair of the Board of Architectural Review, as well as serving on the Planning Board, and the Conservation Advisory Council. Basically, much of what you see in Scarsdale is better, safer, or more beautiful because of the attention Terry gave to it.
She balanced these commitments with service to the League of Women Voters, the School Board Nominating Committee, the Scarsdale Historical Society, the Scarsdale Bowl Committee Class of 2002, and as Co-Chair of the Westchester Reform Temple Building Committee during design and construction of the new sanctuary. Beyond Scarsdale, Terry dedicated her talents to her alma mater, Cornell University, where she served as President of the College of Human Ecology Alumni Association, and in various roles on the College's Dean's Advisory Council, the President's Council of Cornell Women and Cornell University Council. Terry is currently Vice Chair of the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Board of Directors; and Co-Chair of the Scarsdale Adult School Board of Trustees, a fitting capstone to eight years of prior service as a board member.
Amazingly, given these important and noteworthy endeavors, Terry’s commitment to the Scarsdale Public Library may represent her most significant contribution to Scarsdale. Terry was a Trustee of the Library Board and served as Vice President in 2015. Even after her board term ended, Terry stayed on as Co-Chair of the Building Committee to oversee and guide renovation efforts. She met frequently with the architect, builder, contractors, Village officials, and Library staff leadership to share her knowledge and to ensure that the construction proceeded on schedule and within budget. Always highly prepared and knowledgeable, while soliciting input from others, Terry brings diplomacy and professionalism to everything she does. Terry continues to serve on the Library’s Landscape Committee today.
It is the quiet kindness and empathy that Terry exudes as a person that makes her so effective. One example stems from yet another leadership role, six years on the Board of Trustees for Westchester Reform Temple, where she created a process to sensitively administer members’ requests for annual dues reductions. Although her term ended more than a decade ago, Terry continues to stay involved to this day.
Terry will tell you how much she and Paul enjoyed raising their family here; their grown children, Sarah and Lee, along with Lee’s fiancé, Mindy, live nearby in New York City, while Terry's mother, Sylvia, is in neighboring White Plains. What Terry appreciates most about Scarsdale is its distinctive architecture, its excellent schools, its sense of community and spirit of volunteerism, all of these elements have been strengthened by her presence and effort. It is so appropriate for us to shine the spotlight tonight on someone who has never sought to be celebrated.
Raised in Great Neck, New York, Terry grew up in a community that valued education. The daughter of a mechanical engineer and an antique dealer, and having an interest in fine arts, Terry was inspired to study design at Cornell University. She then pursued a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, Terry worked at several architectural firms having a range of focus that included historic restoration, renovation, residential and corporate projects.
Terry has been involved in community service since she moved to Scarsdale with her husband, Paul, more than thirty years ago. When her children were young, Terry served on the Board of Trustees of Kids' B.A.S.E & The Little School, as Heathcote Elementary School PTA President, and then as Scarsdale High School PTA Vice President. Terry was highly regarded and brought together board members, administrators and parents alike. At Heathcote, she was instrumental in initiating the popular Learning to Look Program. At Scarsdale High School, she was Chair of the PTA Scholarship Fund for College.
Terry broadened the scope of her public service by using her architectural experience to serve on and chair various Scarsdale Village Boards and Councils. From 1991 on, Terry has taken on pivotal roles serving as Chair of the Board of Architectural Review, as well as serving on the Planning Board, and the Conservation Advisory Council. Basically, much of what you see in Scarsdale is better, safer, or more beautiful because of the attention Terry gave to it.
She balanced these commitments with service to the League of Women Voters, the School Board Nominating Committee, the Scarsdale Historical Society, the Scarsdale Bowl Committee Class of 2002, and as Co-Chair of the Westchester Reform Temple Building Committee during design and construction of the new sanctuary. Beyond Scarsdale, Terry dedicated her talents to her alma mater, Cornell University, where she served as President of the College of Human Ecology Alumni Association, and in various roles on the College's Dean's Advisory Council, the President's Council of Cornell Women and Cornell University Council. Terry is currently Vice Chair of the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Board of Directors; and Co-Chair of the Scarsdale Adult School Board of Trustees, a fitting capstone to eight years of prior service as a board member.
Amazingly, given these important and noteworthy endeavors, Terry’s commitment to the Scarsdale Public Library may represent her most significant contribution to Scarsdale. Terry was a Trustee of the Library Board and served as Vice President in 2015. Even after her board term ended, Terry stayed on as Co-Chair of the Building Committee to oversee and guide renovation efforts. She met frequently with the architect, builder, contractors, Village officials, and Library staff leadership to share her knowledge and to ensure that the construction proceeded on schedule and within budget. Always highly prepared and knowledgeable, while soliciting input from others, Terry brings diplomacy and professionalism to everything she does. Terry continues to serve on the Library’s Landscape Committee today.
It is the quiet kindness and empathy that Terry exudes as a person that makes her so effective. One example stems from yet another leadership role, six years on the Board of Trustees for Westchester Reform Temple, where she created a process to sensitively administer members’ requests for annual dues reductions. Although her term ended more than a decade ago, Terry continues to stay involved to this day.
Terry will tell you how much she and Paul enjoyed raising their family here; their grown children, Sarah and Lee, along with Lee’s fiancé, Mindy, live nearby in New York City, while Terry's mother, Sylvia, is in neighboring White Plains. What Terry appreciates most about Scarsdale is its distinctive architecture, its excellent schools, its sense of community and spirit of volunteerism, all of these elements have been strengthened by her presence and effort. It is so appropriate for us to shine the spotlight tonight on someone who has never sought to be celebrated.