Don Blumenthal, Ilana’s grandfather, began his journey at Quinnipiac in 1965 — a year before the then college moved to the Mount Carmel Campus and decades before opening the York Hill and North Haven campuses. Until he retired in 2004, Don brought his son to many university events, including basketball games and Commencement ceremonies.

This young boy is Steve Blumenthal ’91, MAT ‘94, Ilana’s father.

Steve serves as the director of athletics for North Haven Public Schools, but his time as a Quinnipiac student prepared him for the more than three decades of his career spent in secondary education.

“I had a phenomenal experience at Quinnipiac. Academically, I thought I received a fantastic education,” he said. “The professors were interesting and engaging. The classes continuously challenged me every semester. But, probably more importantly, I was very involved in the extracurricular opportunities I was presented.”

Quinnipiac’s lasting impact on Steve extends far beyond academics and personal growth. Steve also met Michelle (Segel) Blumenthal ‘94, who would later become his wife.

Michelle earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Quinnipiac and now works as an associate director for New England at Optum, a division of United Health Care.

Michelle describes her Quinnipiac experience as one that forever shaped her life.

“It was a journey of personal growth, learning and self-discovery,” she said. “It challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, build confidence and create lasting memories. Looking back, it was about so much more than earning a degree; it was about becoming the person I am today.”

When a member of Quinnipiac’s advancement office reached out to the family about starting a scholarship in the family’s name, Steve and Michelle were eager to support the university that held such a special place in their hearts.

“Because Quinnipiac had such a profound effect on our lives — just the fact that we found each other, for starters — Michelle and I did not hesitate to get involved,” said Steve.

The Michelle ’94 and Steven ’91, MAT ’94 Blumenthal Endowed Scholarship annually supports undergraduate students who have shown interest in Judaic Studies and the Hebrew language, or who have participated in outreach or service-learning work in partnership with Jewish Life or the Peter C. Hereld House for Jewish Life.

Keren Ayalon, coordinator of Jewish Life, met Steve at the 2026 Bobcat Weekend celebration.

“Afterward, he sent me a very kind email saying he appreciated my welcoming and friendly demeanor and that I helped him and his friend feel right at home,” she said. “It was a meaningful reminder of how the Hereld House creates a sense of connection and belonging for students, alumni and families.”

Ayalon has seen first-hand the contribution that legacy families like the Blumenthal’s can have on a university.

“Legacy families support the Quinnipiac community by staying connected to the university across generations and continuing to invest in its students, programs and values,” she said. “Their ongoing engagement shows that Quinnipiac is more than a place where students earn a degree; it is a community that shapes lasting relationships, commitments and a lifelong sense of belonging. The scholarship is a meaningful example of how legacy families can strengthen student life and support future generations of Quinnipiac students.”

Steve is also still involved with the Quinnipiac community, serving as the basketball public address announcer since the 1988-1989 season.

“I am very fortunate to say that my status as the public address announcer for Quinnipiac men’s and women’s basketball continues to this day and I am excited for the 2026-2027 season,” he said.

When their daughter, Ilana, was deciding where she would attend college, Quinnipiac just felt like the right choice.

“Quinnipiac has always felt like home because of my family’s connection to the university,” Ilana said. “When it came time to choose a college, the 3+1 business program stood out to me because it offered the opportunity to earn both my undergraduate degree and MBA in four years. Being able to pursue that opportunity while continuing my family’s legacy made Quinnipiac especially meaningful to me. I came here with a connection through my family, and over time, I’ve built my own connection through the people, experiences and opportunities I’ve found here.”

Ilana has truly made the most of her time at Quinnipiac. She served as the president of the Iota Phi chapter of Alpha Chi Omega, studied abroad in Seville, Spain and has grown into a brave and fearless leader. Not only did she follow in the legacy of the generations before her, Ilana paved her own journey at the university.

“One of the most special parts of attending Quinnipiac has been taking a place that already meant so much to my family and discovering what it means to me personally,” she said. “I’m grateful to continue our family’s legacy, but I’m equally grateful for the friendships, responsibilities and experiences that have made my time here my own. As I finish my final year, I know I’ll leave with much more than two degrees.”

Ilana is open to exploring new paths after graduation, but she knows definitively that she wants to engage in meaningful work that challenges her to continue growing.

“After completing my MBA, I hope to pursue a career where I can combine my background in finance and marketing with my strengths in leadership, relationship building and problem solving,” she said. “Balancing my education with full-time work and serving as a chapter president has taught me how to manage competing priorities, communicate with different audiences and lead with accountability. I’m excited to bring those skills to a team where I can contribute, continue learning and grow into greater responsibility.”

Now as parents of a Quinnipiac graduate, Michelle and Steve have seen Quinnipiac from a new perspective, one guided by the experience of their daughter.

“Seeing how Quinnipiac has grown, expanded its opportunities and adapted to the changes happening around us has given me a deeper appreciation for seeing our daughter find success in today’s world,” said Michelle. “Watching our daughter thrive, grow and take advantage of the opportunities available to her has given me a renewed appreciation for how much Quinnipiac has changed. I am so proud to see its expanding programs, resources and vision, while recognizing the lasting impact it will have on our daughter.”

For more than half a century, the Blumenthal family has called Quinnipiac home. As Ilana prepares to graduate with her MBA in the spring, it is clear that the impact of the university has expanded beyond generations for their family and the many other legacy families who truly believe in the mission of Quinnipiac.