Hobart and William Smith Colleges

28 April 2025 Destined for Lives of Consequence: Meet the Newest Geneva Scholarship Associates

Four Geneva High School graduates make their mark at Hobart and William Smith.

As the academic year draws to a close, four Geneva High School graduates—the latest recipients of scholarships from Geneva Scholarship Associates (GSA)—have engaged with campus and the Geneva community in course work, theatre, athletics and volunteer service during their first year at the Colleges. Lincoln Champlin ’28, Joey Hart ’28, Gerard Humiston ’28, and A.J. Mesmer joined eight GSA scholars currently enrolled at HWS.

Following his many theatre roles at Geneva High, Lincoln Champlin ’28 was a member of the HWS production of “Witch” and plans to minor in theatre and major in environmental science. He also joined the campus EMS team and is the latest HWS student to join the Geneva Fire Department as a volunteer with the Nester Hose Company. In the Drama Club at Geneva High, he performed in numerous musicals and plays, including as Black Stache in “Peter and the Star Catcher” and Eli Whitney in “Anything Goes.” An outdoors enthusiast, he enjoys hiking and fishing, especially at Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks.

Joey Hart ’28 brought his love of baseball to HWS as a student manager for the Hobart baseball team. He plans to major in management and entrepreneurial studies. At Geneva High, he was a member of the golf and baseball teams, earning first team all-league honors in both sports as a senior. He played the alto and baritone saxophone in the concert band and earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy through his four years of Spanish courses. His community service includes being a coach for the Finger Lakes Youth Sports (Challenger Sports) during their baseball season, assisting runners at aid stations during the Geneva Half Marathon, and serving as an usher at Our Lady of Peace Parish. His mother, Kelly Cecere Hart '88, P'28, was also a GSA recipient. 

For A.J. Mesmer ’28, his first-year seminar “Math and Metaphor” and a calculus course ignited his academic career at HWS. He plans to major in either economics or management and minor in data analytics. As a student at Geneva High with a love for mathematics and technology, he gravitated to entrepreneurial and business activities and participated in Dungeons and Dragons and 3D printing groups outside of school. He also discovered a passion for gaming and non-competitive sports. His community work has focused on helping neighbors and friends with tasks and medical challenges. Looking beyond HWS, he plans to start a business that blends his academic studies and hobbies.

Gerard Humiston ’28 built on his four years as a member of the Geneva High swimming and diving team and joined the HWS team. He also joined the HWS student Fishing Club. He plans to major in political science, minor in philosophy and pursue a career in law. As a high school student, in addition to swimming for the Panthers, he was a member of the Geneva Family YMCA Gators and the Newark Wahoos (USA Team). His awards included the 2024 Finger Lakes League Outstanding Senior, four-time All-League first team and three-time Scholar Athlete. He also worked as a lifeguard at the Geneva YMCA during the school year and at the Colleges’ Bristol pool over the summer.

Other 2024-25 GSA Scholarship recipients include Gavin Brignall ’27, Audrie Fazio ’25, Nicholas Franceschi ’25, Tayah Payne ’26, Andrew Pilet ’26, Michaela Riley ’27, David Turrell ’27 and Christopher Woody ’27.

“We are delighted that Lincoln, Joey, AJ and Gerard have thrived in their first year at the Colleges. For more than two generations, GSA scholars have enriched our campus and have gone on to contribute to Geneva and many other communities where they live and work,” says President Mark D. Gearan. “I am grateful for the generosity of the loyal donors who have made this such a successful program and we look forward to welcoming a new class of GSA scholars in the fall.”

Since its founding in 1968, GSA and the Colleges have awarded more than $2.3 million in scholarships to nearly 240 graduates of Geneva schools to support their enrollment at HWS. This unique partnership began when then HWS President Albert E. Holland partnered with local business owners to create a community-driven organization to provide endowed scholarship support for academically and financially deserving Geneva students to attend Hobart and William Smith. The scholarship fund has grown dramatically through the annual financial support of thousands of individuals and businesses as well as the generosity of individuals who have endowed GSA scholarships.

Top: Gerard Humiston '28, A.J. Mesmer '28, Joey Hart '28 and Lincoln Champlin '28 pose with President Mark D. Gearan and Mary Herlihy Gearan.