Dr. Ira Kukin, chief benefactor of Cardozo's Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution and a former Trustee and honorary member on the Cardozo Board of Overseers, died May 17 at age 93. The Kukin Program was established in 1990 through a generous gift from Dr. Ira Kukin and his wife, Doris.
Kukin was elected to Yeshiva University's Board of Trustees in 1981 and later served as its vice chairman. He also served on the boards of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Stern College for Women and Yeshiva College in the oversight of Academics Affairs. He was also a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Sy Syms School of Business.
Dr. Kukin was a passionate believer in the power of education, leadership and Jewish values. He used those ideals to create the Society of Kukin Fellows, which provided a merit-based college stipend for two New Jersey high school graduates every year from 1984 until 2004.
In his career as a research scientist he received degrees from CCNY and Harvard and was a pioneer in establishing air pollution control technology. He was a founder of Apollo Technologies International Corporation, a leading company in the field of air pollution control and energy conservation in Livingston, New Jersey.
Dr. Kukin's son Jonathan is a member of the Cardozo School of Law Class of 1987. Dr. Kukin is survived by his three children and thirteen grandchildren.