Piltch commits $7.5 million to Colleges
6 June 2008 Piltch commits $7.5 million to Colleges
His employees call him Stunami because hes got this amazing combination of intellect and enthusiasm, says Chairman of the Board of Trustees David Deming 75 of friend and fellow Trustee Stuart Piltch 82, P11.
The fact that hes chosen to focus that intellect and enthusiasm on the Colleges is an honor that bodes well for the future. Piltch and his wife, Sari Feldman P11, recently committed $7.5 million to Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Its the first of many gifts to the Colleges, he says. This is just the beginning of what we want to do.
The Piltch gift has been earmarked for a number of projects. At the top of the list are scholarships.
Obviously, I wouldnt be here today if it werent for financial support so it was important to me and my family that we create scholarships in honor of the people who made a difference in my life, says Piltch.
Geneva Scholarship Associates, a fund that supports academically and financially deserving students from Geneva or DeSales high schools to attend HWS, now exceeds $1 million thanks to a record contribution from the Piltch Family in honor of June W. Kuryla P75, P78, P84, GP 04, GP 07 and Bob Freeman.
In addition, the Piltches have established The Dean Clarence E. Butler Endowed Scholarship Fund. The three scholarships were announced at a recent dinner of Trustees and members of the Geneva community involved in the work of the Geneva Partnership, an initiative designed to improve the lives of all who work and live in the region.
The gift will also support facilities improvements, including the renovation of 623 South Main Street to house administrative offices, various athletics improvements and the upcoming Performing Arts Initiative.
We meshed the needs of the campaign with our familys priorities, Piltch explains. The entire campaign is about competing in the marketplace. We need the right facilities and opportunities to continue to attract a gifted group of students and talented faculty. As a trustee, I can honestly say that we have the right combination. The Colleges are worth the investment.
Stuarts love of Hobart and William Smith and his absolute faith in the future of the Colleges is inspiring, says President Mark Gearan. He has reached back over the arc of his life to make a transformative gift, one that will change the lives of students, faculty and administrators for generations to come.