Stephen Paletta '87 was named the winner of Oprah's Big Give April 19. After spending eight weeks competing to change the lives of complete strangers in creative and dramatic ways, Paletta was awarded a $1 million prize, half of which must be used to continue helping others.

A graduate of the College of Engineering, Paletta was also a four-year letter winner for the Big Red men's lacrosse team. He 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 serving others.