Cornell Big Red

ITHACA, N.Y. – Former Cornell University men’s lacrosse player Stephen Paletta ’87 was named the winner of Oprah’s Big Give on Sunday evening. After spending eight weeks competing to change the lives of complete strangers in the most creative and dramatic ways possible, Paletta was awarded a $1 million prize, half of which must be used to continue helping others.

 

A four-year letter winner for the Big Red defense, Paletta was a part of Cornell’s 1987 national runner-up squad and was named a second-team All-American that season.

 

Paletta outlasted nine other contestants as they traveled across the country, scrambling to find ways to impact the fates and fortunes of unsuspecting people and was named The Biggest Giver. Paletta has spent the last several years on philanthropic endeavors and has established Stephen’s Journey to continue working towards serving others.

 

To learn more about Stephen’s Journey, click here.