Our goal through this comprehensive campaign is to raise an ambitious $145 million in scholarship funding that will enable HWS to attract and retain the most gifted and promising scholars, athletes, artists and leaders, regardless of their financial circumstances, and to allow them to graduate and enter the workforce without the burden of excessive debt.
Preparing Students to Lead Lives of Consequence
In this video, students share the transformative experiences that shaped their HWS education and set the trajectory for their futures.
OUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Gifts for Financial Aid and Scholarships
The latest gift from Honorary Trustee Katherine D. Elliott '66, L.H.D. '08 and Richard S. Abramson provides an historic $5.5M in support for need-based financial aid. Elliott says that “supporting higher education means that more young people have access to opportunities, and there's nothing more important than that.”
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Trustee Mehrnaz “Naz” Vahid-Ahdieh '85, P'17 created the Mehrnaz Vahid-Ahdieh '85 Annual Fund Scholarship with a recent gift of $100,000 to support students who have come to the U.S. as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program recipients, refugees and/or immigrants. Through the scholarship, Vahid-Ahdieh says she's hoping to give opportunities like the one she had as a student — to “be able to change one life and as a result, a whole generation of people after it.”
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J. Reeve Bright '70, P'89 and his family pay tribute to the lifelong friendships forged at Hobart and William Smith with the creation of the Bright Family Endowed Scholarship. The $1.2M commitment will support financial aid for academically and financially deserving students.
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Former Trustee James F. Anderton IV '65 inspired HWS alumni and friends to commit to Hobart and William Smith's future by leveraging his $1 million gift into even more support for student scholarships and financial aid.
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By the Numbers
A Stellar Education Within Reach
Our relationship-rich academic experience positions HWS as an ideal place for students to learn and grow. Increased scholarship support will continue to make this education a possibility for exceptional students like the scholars below.
Biruk Nardos Abebe '25
Dr. Harold C. '56 and Mrs. Donna C. '57 Britt Endowed Scholarship in Physics
Biruk Nardos Abebe '25 has been developing a research project exploring “water world” exoplanets, combining his interests in physics, astronomy and computer science. In January 2024, he presented his findings at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) conference in New Orleans.
Kayla Powers '24
Pauline Sammis '54 Annual Fund Scholarship
Kayla Powers '24 is the president of HWS Debate. Powers made their second appearance at the World University Debating Championship in 2024 after an historic finish in 2023. Last year, Powers and partner Sreyan Kanungo '23 became the first HWS team to win an elimination round in the open division, advancing all the way to the octofinals.
Matt Brand '24
John T. McCarthy '34 Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Matthew Brand '24 completed an internship last summer with Citigroup's Global Wealth Management Division. Brand will return to Citi in New York City post-graduation as a Private Banking Analyst. “Citi has such a team-oriented and welcoming culture. They truly want everyone to succeed because team success means company success. I couldn't be happier to be a part of that and to contribute toward maintaining that standard,” he says.
Samari Brown '24
Paul M. '56 and Chandra Olson Endowed Scholarship
Student Trustee Samari Brown '24 was named to the All In Campus Democracy Challenge Honor Roll for her dedication to increase voter engagement and turnout at HWS. The honor roll recognizes only 175 student leaders nationwide who “have gone above and beyond to advance nonpartisan student voter registration, education and turnout efforts in their communities.”
Marjorie Plants '25
John '37 and Veronica Somerset Scholarship
Marjorie Plants '25 is spending a semester abroad in the Czech Republic. The recipient of a competitive U.S Department of State 2024 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Plants is studying at Charles University's Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education.
Hunter Meshanic '25
Harold Klue '27 Scholarship
Robert E. Enslein ’56 Scholarship
Hunter Meshanic '25 recently attended the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Syracuse Education Conference with Professor of Psychological Science Jamie Bodenlos and fellow students. Alongside licensed professionals, service providers, and advocates, HWS students delved into critical topics such as adolescent suicide, domestic violence, substance abuse, self-care, and the role of peers and family in helping others, as well as crisis response strategies.
Jesse Whelan-Small '24
Joseph A Romano '82 in honor of Samuel Yamashita Scholarship
Student Trustee Jesse Whelan-Small ’24 is one of only four students in the Class of 2024 to be inducted to Phi Beta Kappa as a junior. Whelan-Small earned the highest honor of Phi Beta Kappa by demonstrating excellent academic standing, breadth of academic studies and intellectual curiosity. On campus, Whelan-Small is a Research Assistant with Professor of Sociology Wes Perkins and and is a member of the Druid Society.
Ainsley Woods '24
Sally Howe Ph.D. '67 Endowed Scholarship
Ainsley Woods '24 has secured a position as an associate consultant at Mastercard in New York City after graduation. Woods completed an internship with the corporation in the summer between her junior and senior years at HWS. Through the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education, Woods was connected to alumni who work or have worked for the company before the internship began.
Alexandra Davidson '24
Securing the Middle Class Scholarship
Alexandra Davidson '24 coauthored a new study revealing how ultraviolet light suppresses the bacteria that causes fire blight, which can decimate apple and pear harvests. Davidson, a biochemistry major, began her research at Cornell AgriTech in 2022 as a summer lab technician. In the summer of 2023, she returned to continue working in the lab of Kerik Cox, an associate professor at Cornell's School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section.
FURTHER TOGETHER
During the 2023-24 academic year, HWS awarded more than $70 million in financial aid to our students. About $7 million came through income generated from philanthropic support. A gift in support of endowed and/or current use scholarships ensures we can provide students with an exceptional education that allows them to focus on their futures.
Support Financial Aid and Scholarships