A Spirit for Service to Others—In Memory of Stephen Seidler

Rowan University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM) lost one of its most beloved employees earlier this year, and a newly endowed scholarship has been established to honor the legacy he left behind. 

Stephen Seidler worked as a multimedia specialist for over twenty-four years as part of then-UMDNJ’s School of Osteopathic Medicine and now RowanSOM. With his bachelor’s degree in communications from Temple University, Seidler spent more than two decades supporting students and staff with digital media content that ranged from IT support and photo editing to computer generated imagery for web and video use.

A memorial service was held in June where students, staff, faculty and community members filled the RowanSOM auditorium in Stratford to share stories of how Seidler impacted their lives at the medical school. A video created by his colleagues and friends was also shared highlighting his skill as an artist and multimedia specialist as part of the IRT Technology services team.

“There were so many different people who loved him,” said Seidler’s aunt, Janet Stotland. “They all spoke so movingly about how much he meant to them. We had no idea how deeply enriched his work family was.”

Seidler was well-known in the RowanSOM community as he announced the graduates each year during Commencement and served students, staff and departments across the Stratford campus.

“You know, it’s actually Stephen’s voice you hear on the machines when you call RowanSOM,” said Stotland. “And he was very serious about making sure he pronounced everyone’s name correctly at Commencement. It gave him so much joy to be part of something greater no matter how small his part was.”

In memory of their nephew and the impact he had on the RowanSOM community, Janet and Seymour Stotland pledged a $100,000 gift through their estate, as well as additional gifts from them and many SOM faculty, staff and friends that have helped to establish the Stephen Seidler Endowed Scholarship, supporting aspiring physicians in need who are also involved in innovative projects.

“We wanted to honor his memory, but we also wanted to support what he valued most,” said Stotland. “And that would’ve been enhancing opportunities for those who want to be of service.”

Seidler’s grandfather was a family physician for 55 years in South Philadelphia, inspiring Stephen's desire to closely align his skills within the medical field.

“It’s remarkable how much of Stephen’s nature derives from my father,” said Stotland. “My father lived a life of service and with a different set of skills, Stephen did the same. So, this is how we’ve chosen to honor that legacy for him and others like him whose spirits are driven by service to others.”