The NYU Stern Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship joins the Stern and NYU communities in mourning the passing of William R. Berkley (BS ’66, NYU Board of Trustees Chairman Emeritus), whose vision, generosity, and deep personal commitment to students helped shape the Center that bears his name.
A remarkably accomplished entrepreneur who founded W. R. Berkley Corporation shortly after graduating from Stern, Bill never lost sight of the importance of helping others find their own path. Beyond his transformative support of the Berkley Center and many initiatives across NYU, he was a familiar and much-anticipated presence in our community. Each year, he made time to serve as a judge for the NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge Finals, engaging with student teams with genuine curiosity and care, and often continuing those conversations long after the event by offering advice, encouragement, and mentorship that students carried forward well beyond the competition.
We were always so grateful for Bill’s commitment to the Berkley Center and to our entrepreneurs. No matter how busy he was, he made time to judge and attend the the Entrepreneurs Challenge Finals. He was always the first to arrive, having read every startup plan from beginning to end and ready to engage each team with tough questions. He didn’t ask ‘gotcha’ questions. His questions came from a genuine desire to help founders think more deeply, sharpen their ideas, and succeed. Bill showed up fully, and his presence meant a great deal to all of us.
Cynthia Franklin
Executive Director, NYU Stern Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship
We are profoundly grateful for Bill’s leadership, generosity, and belief in the people behind every idea. His influence is felt not only in the programs he supported, but in the many individuals he took the time to know and invest in. Bill’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs to come.
