Hobart and William Smith Colleges

18 June 2008 Celebrating 40 years of support

On Saturday, June 21, the Geneva Scholarship Association (GSA) celebrated 40 years of service to the Geneva and HWS communities and recognized the organizations founders.

In honor of their service, President Mark Gearan presented the original founders of GSA with presidential medals, commemorating the positive legacy that they have left on Geneva and Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The local leaders are Frank Pullano, Dr. Ed Cuony, T. Robert Bob Saunderson, Grace Parrott, widow of co-founder John Parrott, and Neil Marvin.

The Scholarship Association is a fund that provides support to academically and financially deserving students from Geneva High School or DeSales High School so that they may attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges. This annual, community-wide campaign reinforces the connection between the Colleges and the city and embodies the Colleges initiative to improve the lives of all individuals living in this region.

To date, the scholarship fund has helped more than 150 Geneva students attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges. This year, the fund achieved a milestone and now exceeds $1 million thanks to a record contribution from Trustee Stuart Piltch 82, P11 and his family. This contribution greatly increases its capacity to assist local Geneva youth.

Obviously, I wouldnt be where I am today if it werent for the financial support I received as a student. 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. Kelly Cecere Hart 88 agrees. GSA gave me the opportunity to attend William Smith my first choice and to succeed and excel in ways I never imagined. I will always be grateful to GSA for enabling me to achieve my educational goals.

Other alums who have benefited from receiving a liberal arts education include local physician Dr. Timothy Ryan 72, former HWS admissions counselor Phyllis Collins 03, and Geneva Middle School teacher Victoria Kean Lehman 88. The event was held from 5 until 9 p.m. at Houghton House.

Following the recognition reception, attendees had fun at Casino Night with prizes donated by Community Bank. For more information about GSA, please contact Bill Deptula, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement and GSA Liaison at (315) 781-3530 or at deptula@hws.edu.