Emerson Society Dinner Returns

Thursday, October 25, 2007 marks the first Emerson Society dinner in more than ten years. A recognition event for donors who have given at the Emerson Society level ($2,000 and above), the dinner will be held at the world’s leading art auction business, Christie’s, in New York City. During the evening, guests will enjoy a private viewing of Christie’s fall sales of post-war and contemporary art, as well as a brief program highlighted by remarks by President Mark D. Gearan.

“This is a special event to recognize leadership giving to the Colleges and celebrate the tremendous outcomes of those gifts,” says Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Bob O’Connor. “The Emerson Society celebration event was reintroduced to be a tangible expression of our gratitude to the alums, parents and friends who support the Colleges at this important level.” An invitation-only event, The Emerson Society dinner acknowledges Society members for the 2007 annual fund year and celebrates leadership support of Hobart and William Smith Colleges through the Wheeler Society.

Caird Hall Dedication June 1

In front of a jubilant crowd of alumni, alumnae, faculty, staff and students, Caird Hall was dedicated in a ceremony on Emerson Hill on June 1 during the Colleges’ 2007 Reunion festivities.

Campaign for the Colleges Celebrated in the Hamptons

More than 100 alums, parents and friends of the Colleges gathered at the picturesque Westhampton Country Club on July 21 in celebration of Campaign for the Colleges.

Endowed Scholarship Honors Parents’ 50th Anniversary

My parents taught me that I had to be responsible for my actions, to take charge of my life and to always seek ways to help others,” says William Green ’83. “My education at Hobart and William Smith reinforced and cemented the philosophy of individual accountability that helped me get to where I am today. It was a natural fit to honor my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary with this endowed scholarship at the Colleges.”

Green established The William J. and Diane T. Green P’83, ’87 Endowed Scholarship Fund with his brother, Matthew, a 1987 graduate of Hobart College and his brothers Kevin (Colgate) and Andrew (University of South Florida). The brothers surprised their parents with the gift at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration on August 3.

The permanent endowed four-year scholarship will assist entering Hobart or William Smith students from the towns of East Aurora or Batavia, New York who have achieved a high degree of academic scholarship and demonstrated significant leadership qualities. The Green Scholar also will possess personal character, integrity and commitment to his or her school and community.

A scholarship recipient himself while at Hobart College, William Green looks forward to helping future generations of students in his parents’ name. “This scholarship is a wonderful way to give back to the Colleges and honor my parents while giving students more access to the Colleges,” he says. “And the happiness that this scholarship brings to our parents is invaluable to us.”

"Painless Philanthropy": Charitable Gifts from IRAs

Calling it “painless philanthropy,” Judith Haslam Cross ’52, P’85, L.H.D.’00 recently made a gift of $100,000 from her IRA. Cross is taking full advantage of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 that allows gifts of up to $100,000 in 2006 and 2007. This is her second charitable IRA contribution and her tax adviser encouraged both gifts. “I can take advantage of this opportunity to support William Smith College without incurring income tax on the withdrawal. By using this asset, I’m giving to William Smith while continuing to provide for my family. It enables me to make the gift I want to make.” In Cross’s case, she is providing resources for the William Smith Centennial endowment, which will support bringing notable women to campus as Centennial Leaders in Residence. This project is close to her heart, as she attends many Dartmouth lectures in her hometown of Hanover, New Hampshire. “This type of gift is also easy to make,” adds Cross. “I made a call to my bank investment manager and then told the Colleges that the transfer would be made. It was a simple process—really painless.” F or more information on how to make a charitable gift from your IRA , please contact Sarah Yancey Gaffin ’78 at 315-781-3714 or gaffin@hws.edu.