Phone: (315) 781-3535
E-mail: oconnor@hws.edu

Bob joined Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1998 as a development officer on the advancement team. Since 2000, he has held senior roles including chief of staff in the Office of the President and secretary to the Board of Trustees. In January 2007, he took on the additional role of director of Campaign for the Colleges before being promoted to vice president for Institutional Advancement in August 2007.

Bob graduated from Gettysburg College in 1991 with a degree in political science. He then went to Michigan State, where he earned a degree in sports administration. He previously worked at Gettysburg College, Michigan State and E & J Gallo Winery.

Phone: (315) 781-3545
E-mail: cassell@hws.edu

After spending 22 years in independent school education as senior administrator, director of admissions and financial aid, teacher, and coach—including significant institutional advancement work as director of the annual fund and capital campaign officer—K. C. joined the Alumni House staff in 2003 as a major gifts officer, was promoted to Director of Gift Planning in 2004, and now takes on new duties focused on the Colleges’ principal giving. K.C.’s spouse, Kerry Cassell, is the Colleges’ Director of Parent Relations. The Cassells are parents of Katelyn ’07, Tyler ’10, and Shannon '12.

“I take real pride in being a part of a development team that is advancing Hobart and William Smith during the Campaign for the Colleges. A successful $160M fundraising effort, accompanied with an enhanced admissions outlook, dedicated faculty and staff and a campus of incomparable beauty, will enhance our position among the nation’s top liberal arts institutions."

Phone: (315) 781-3714
E-mail: gaffin@hws.edu

Sarah Yancey Gaffin ’78 became director of annual support for the Colleges in 1982. Over the next 15 years she held several positions, and was responsible for creating the Colleges’ planned giving program and the Wheeler Society. In 1997, she left to serve in various development capacities at the Rochester Institute of Technology and WXXI Public Broadcasting. In January 2004, she returned to Hobart and William Smith, where she currently serves as assistant vice president for Institutional Advancement.

“I was 27 when I came to William Smith and asked the Dean if I could study here. She was the first of so many people who gave me a chance to realize my potential. I want to give something back in honor of all that these Colleges have given to me.”

Phone: (315) 781-3530
E-mail: deptula@hws.edu

Bill Deptula joined the Alumni House team in early 2006 as assistant vice president for Institutional Advancement. His diverse background in higher education fundraising includes extensive experience in planned, major and annual giving. Bill’s most recent stop was at Syracuse University, where he was a director of gift planning. He previously worked in annual giving at Kenyon College in Ohio, and annual and major giving at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He has been in development for more than ten years. A native of Syracuse, Bill earned his B.A. from Gettysburg College, and holds an M.A. from Bowling Green State University. At the Colleges, Bill leads the team responsible for the annual giving program.

“I am honored and pleased to be working once again in the community of elite liberal arts colleges. I believe very strongly and passionately in liberal education, and look forward to meeting the challenges that lie ahead for this unique and special place.”

Phone: (315) 781-3743
E-mail:olaughlin@hws.edu

Mara O’Laughlin ’66 was director of admissions of William Smith College from 1974 to 1992, and then of Hobart and William Smith Colleges until 2005. During her 31 years at the helm, she admitted nearly two-thirds of the living William Smith alumnae. She was instrumental in establishing “Frank’s Books” in the Warren Hunting Smith Library on campus—an extensive collection of nearly 11,000 scholarly books from the library of Professor Emeritus Frank O’Laughlin, to whom she was married for 35 years. Mara has also established the Frank and Mara ’66 O’Laughlin Scholarship, which targets middle income students of high promise in their first year. In her new role as assistant vice president, William Smith Centennial Fund, Mara is shaping the campaign for the 100th anniversary of William Smith College.

“I came here from New York City to go to college in 1962 and never left. The William Smith Centennial is the signature moment in our history and I am thrilled to lead the campaign and reconnect with the women I first met when they applied. What a privilege!”

Phone: (315) 781-3780
E-mail: mbond@hws.edu

Martha Bond came to Hobart and William Smith in 2001 from the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency in Rochester, N.Y., where she was executive director of the health data, planning, and policy organization. She holds a B.A. in political science from Mt. Holyoke College, an M.A. in French literature from Wesleyan University, and an M.P.H. in community health and preventative medicine from the University of Rochester’s School of Medicine and Dentistry. As director of grants, Martha works closely with faculty, administrators, and her colleagues in Institutional Advancement to increase the number of external grants awarded to the Colleges. 

“It is wonderfully satisfying to help secure resources to implement a needed project, whether related to a faculty member’s specific area of research or to a broader institutional priority such as endowed scholarships, summer student research, or the Finger Lakes Institute.”

Phone: (315) 781-3532
E-mail: Regan@hws.edu

Kathy graduated from William Smith in 1982 with a major in art history. She completed her master’s degree at Syracuse University as part of the Florence Fellowship Program—studying the Italian Renaissance in Florence. She has been at the Colleges since 1985, first in Admissions and then for the past six years in Alumni House, where she is currently director of alumnae relations.

“Imagine being surrounded by great people in an awe-inspiring environment, full of curious minds and intellectual spirit, and being responsible for getting others excited about it. I enjoy being part of a team and a place that is motivated by the challenge and inspired by the possibilities.”

Phone: (315) 781-3782
E-mail: weeden@hws.edu

Jared graduated from Hobart in 1991 with a major in political science and returned to Alumni House as director of annual giving in 2001. In 2002, he moved across the hall to head our Alumni Relations programs. Jared got his start in development at his other alma mater, The Lawrenceville School, where he served as associate director of The Lawrenceville Fund. Outside the office, Jared coaches the William Smith club hockey team, sharing what he learned as a member of the Statesmen hockey team under then head coach, and now Alumni House colleague, Bill Greer.

“I came back for my 10th Reunion a few years ago and never left! I am grateful to be here now, especially to watch and be a part of the dynamic growth that is taking place on our campus and in the greater Hobart and William Smith community.”

Phone: (315) 781-3783
E-mail: KeYoung@hws.edu

Kelly Young, director of donor relations, worked at Hobart and William Smith Colleges as part of the advancement team from 1985 to 1997 before making a move to Rochester Institute of Technology in 1997. There, she was the development associate for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. She returned to the Colleges in 2001 to accept a new position as the director of donor relations, where her primary responsibility is communicating with donors on the important impact of their support to the Colleges.

“Coming back to Hobart and William Smith was like coming home. In my position as director of donor relations, I get to report on all the good things happening at the Colleges thanks to students, faculty, staff and donors."

Phone: (315) 781-3755
E-mail: kcassell@hws.edu

A Boston native, Kerry Cassell moved to Geneva and Hobart and William Smith in 2003 from Colorado, where she worked at the Dawson School in lower schools admissions and testing for students. Before her current role as director of Parent Relations, Kerry was a residential education coordinator, a major gifts program administrator, and then assistant director of Parent Relations for the Colleges. Her husband, K. C., is the Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement for Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The Cassells are parents of Katelyn ’07, Tyler ’10, and Shannon '12.

“My work with Parents Relations allows me to witness firsthand the powerful outcomes of support and generosity from our parents, alumni and alumnae who annually invest in this wonderful place. I am especially proud to be a parent of two Hobart and William Smith students.”

Phone: (315) 781-3753
E-mail: einstein@hws.edu

From 1998-2005, Kristen Einstein worked at the Colleges in various capacities for the Reunion Giving and Annual Giving programs.  Kristen returns to Hobart and William Smith as the Director of Annual Giving after spending 3 1/2 years as the Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Health Foundation.  Her primary focus is coordinating efforts to secure annual support from alumni, alumnae and friends for The Fund for Hobart and William Smith.

“Having lived in Geneva most of my life, I am delighted at the progress Hobart and William Smith have made over the years, especially in terms of community engagement. These are exciting times at HWS, and I could not resist the lure to be a part of it all once again! As the Colleges continue to advance, so too does the challenge for Institutional Advancement. I am thrilled to be a part of such a talented team of colleagues and the many students, faculty, alumni, alumnae, parents and friends that will collaborate to make great things happen.”

Phone: (315) 781-3701
E-mail: peterson@hws.edu

Casey Peterson, who came to the Colleges from Canton, N.Y., is director of annual giving. She received a B.S. in math and economics and a master’s in education administration from St. Lawrence University. While at St. Lawrence, Casey worked in the president’s office, supporting advancement services. She also played on the university’s ice hockey team. She continues to skate in the Geneva community, as a hockey referee and coach.

“I had such a great experience at a small, private liberal arts college that I decided to work at Hobart and William Smith, where I can play an active role in helping to guarantee that same experience to our current and future students.”

Phone: (315) 781-3533
E-mail: nesbit@hws.edu

A Pennsylvania native, Jennifer (Jen) Nesbit came to Hobart and William Smith in June 2007 from her alma mater, Gettysburg College, where she was the director of annual giving for three years. Prior to that role, she was the associate director of annual giving at Gettysburg with responsibility for parent giving and the parent leadership program. Jen started her career in development in 1998 at the Wildlife Habitat Council in Maryland, coordinating grants and events as director of membership and development. In her current role at Hobart and William Smith, Jen works with Reunion Classes to enhance giving to their class gifts and to The Fund for Hobart and William Smith.

“I had such a transformative experience at a liberal arts school that I want to help other alums understand the important role they play in their alma mater’s ongoing strength and well-being. Reunion is a special time to revitalize those connections and to appreciate the tremendous momentum currently at Hobart and William Smith.”

Phone: (315) 781-4069
E-mail: carrow@hws.edu

A native of Syracuse, Ashley Carrow, Assistant Director of Annual Giving and HWS Connect Manager, joined the Alumni House team during the summer of 2008.  Ashley earned her B.A. from Canisius College, where she majored in Communication Studies.  She found her niche in fundraising and development while working for the Canisius College Annual Fund throughout her undergraduate experience, both as a student caller and as a call center manager.  In her current role at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Ashley leads HWS Connect, the student phone-a-thon program, which secures annual support from all constituencies.  In addition, Ashley coordinates the Stewardson Society, the senior class gift initiative. 

“As a recent college graduate, I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity for an education from an institution that truly shaped the person I have become.  Now, it is my job to get other young people excited about the philanthropic opportunities at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.”

Phone: (315) 781-3779
E-mail: greer@hws.edu

Bill Greer graduated from Amherst College in 1978 and began a 22-year stint in collegiate coaching at Amherst, RPI and Brockport State. He came to Hobart as head coach for men’s hockey in 1984. In 16 seasons, Bill guided the Statesmen to their first-ever post season appearances in 1991 and 1992; In 1998 he was named ECAC West “Coach of the Year.” In addition to coaching, Bill has served as assistant athletic director, director of summer programs, and assistant to the treasurer at the Colleges. In 2000 he joined the development staff as a Major Gifts Officer. Bill holds an M.B.A. from St. John Fisher College.

“For me, it has always been about the people—the athletes and their families, my colleagues, and our incredible faculty. This is an amazing place because of the people who are here. I love my job because every day I see, and help others to see, the connections between people.”

Phone: (315) 781-3776
E-mail: foster@hws.edu

Benjamin (Ben) Foster, major gifts officer, joined the Colleges in 2003 as director of reunion campaigns and became major gifts officer in 2007. He came from Tufts University, where he was the associate director of the Tufts Fund for Arts, Sciences and Engineering, and coach of men’s rowing. A Hobart graduate, Ben served for two years as the assistant rowing coach for Hobart and William Smith before moving on to become head rowing coach at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. Ben received his master’s degree from Boston College while coaching at Tufts University. He entered the development field shortly thereafter, when he accepted the position of associate director of the Tufts Fund for Arts, Sciences and Engineering.

“I loved my four years at Hobart and William Smith and jumped at the opportunity to return. I have fond memories from my time at the Colleges, and enjoy working with alums to build upon and honor their memories from this special place.” 

Phone: (315) 781-3502
E-mail: reese@hws.edu

A 2003 Hobart alum, John Reese returned to the Colleges in 2007 to join the advancement team in Alumni House as a major gifts officer. While a student at Hobart and William Smith, John was a member of the Chimera and Orange Key honor societies and was a scholarship recipient. He graduated with a double major in Media and Society and English, and then worked as assistant director of admissions at the Colleges from 2004 to 2006 before heading to New Jersey to serve as director of Admissions for the Lewis School of Princeton. In his current role, John works with alums and friends of the Colleges to advance the capital campaign and its initiatives.

“I had a wonderful undergraduate experience at Hobart and am so proud to continue to call the Colleges my home. It is electrifying to work with alums who have a deep appreciation for how their Hobart and William Smith experience has shaped their lives. I am honored to have an impact on the Colleges’ future.”

Phone: (315) 781-3722
E-mail: reuscher@hws.edu

Karen Ilacqua Reuscher graduated from William Smith in 1988 with a major in anthropology and sociology and a minor in education. She then spent time in Boston in commercial real estate while working on her master’s degree. Karen has held many positions in Advancement Services, beginning in 1990 as the prospect research associate and eventually becoming the director in 2002. She manages and directs a staff of eight, and oversees the prospect research function, biographical records, gift records, acknowledgments and computer programming for the department, including a recent and very successful database conversion.

“What a unique experience—first to be an excited student, then a proud graduate, now a dedicated employee, and perhaps some day, a joyful parent of a William Smith student.”