HWS News
21 July 2026 • Alums HWS Awarded $3 Million State Grant to Advance Fish Center for the Sciences
NYS funding supports next phase of transformative science facilities project and strengthens HWS' impact on students, research and the Finger Lakes economy.
Hobart and William Smith has been awarded a $3 million Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap) grant from New York State to support the next phase of the Fish Center for the Sciences, providing critical funding for advanced laboratory equipment, scientific instrumentation, technology and specialized learning spaces that will transform science education and research on campus. Funding will also support the construction of specialized facilities, including a greenhouse and vivarium, as well as critical infrastructure improvements such as HVAC upgrades, landscaping and site restoration.
The award, administered through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), builds on a 2025 HECap award for $5 million and represents another significant public investment in the most ambitious capital projects in Hobart and William Smith's history.
The new 40,000-square-foot Fish Center for the Sciences and the concurrent renovation of Lansing, Rosenberg and Gulick Halls form the centerpiece of Hobart and William Smith's $400 million Further Together comprehensive campaign. The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2027.
"This investment by New York State is an investment in our students, our region and the future of scientific discovery," says President Mark D. Gearan. "We are deeply grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, our state legislative delegation and DASNY for their confidence in Hobart and William Smith and their partnership in this transformative project. As one of the Finger Lakes region's largest employers and economic drivers, HWS plays a vital role in the prosperity of our community, and this investment strengthens our ability to educate future leaders, advance research and contribute to the long-term vitality of Geneva and the Finger Lakes."
Learn more about the Fish Center for the Sciences.
The new and renovated facilities will support existing strengths in biology, chemistry, physics geoscience and psychological science while expanding opportunities in emerging fields, including public health, environmental science, aquatic studies and data analytics. The project also positions HWS to explore future graduate offerings in the sciences while continuing to attract outstanding faculty and students.
Hobart and William Smith is recognized nationally for providing undergraduate research opportunities and is among the select liberal arts institutions designated as a Carnegie Research College. Faculty consistently secure competitive grants from agencies including the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, while HWS’ Finger Lakes Institute serves as a regional leader in research, education and environmental stewardship.
The science project also represents a significant investment in the regional economy. According to the Center for Governmental Research, Hobart and William Smith generates an estimated $220 million annual economic impact across Geneva and the Finger Lakes region. Construction of the Fish Center is employing numerous contractors and subcontractors from New York State, while the completed facility will strengthen HWS' competitiveness in attracting students from across the country and abroad, supporting local businesses, jobs and continued economic growth.
To date, Hobart and William Smith has secured more than $42 million toward the Fish Center project, including the transformational $25 million lead gift from alumna and Honorary Trustee Cynthia Gelsthorpe Fish '82 and John F. Fish, for whom the center is named.
