Franklin Siu

One of Gregersen’s students, Franklin Siu, UDPL Performance '60, designated the fund in his will to help “students at Mannes who were poor like me.” Siu's journey from Mannes to a successful career as an actor on Broadway (his credits include a role in Mame in its first national tour) and a businessman in Hong Kong was profoundly shaped by Gregersen’s support. In addition to her teaching, she provided him with a scholarship that enabled him to continue his studies at Mannes during financially challenging times. This experience inspired Franklin to establish the Gregersen Endowed Scholarship Fund with the aim of ensuring that current and future Mannes students facing financial hardships have the same opportunities he had.

The Gregersen Endowed Scholarship fund will be awarded to Mannes students at all levels, giving priority to those with demonstrated financial need.