HWS News
27 October 2026 Honoring Family, Building Community
New Piltch Family Commons celebrates generations of HWS connections and a lasting commitment to students.
A renovated residential community on Pulteney Street now carries the name of the Piltch family, whose connection to Hobart and William Smith spans generations.
Led by President Mark D. Gearan, Hobart and William Smith dedicated the Piltch Family Commons on Saturday, Oct. 3, in recognition of a significant gift from Stuart Piltch ’82, P’11 that made the renovation of the former Geneva Garden Apartments possible. The new student housing community honors Stuart and his family, including his parents Mildred and Roy Piltch P’78, P’82, P’83, P’85; siblings Neal Piltch ’78, Deborah Piltch ’83 and Stanley Piltch ’85; and Stuart’s daughter, Alyson Feldman-Piltch ’11.
For Piltch, the dedication was a celebration of the family and the institution that profoundly shaped their lives.
“I am deeply honored to have this community space carry my parents’ names. They believed so strongly in the opportunity an HWS education could provide that they sent four of their children here, and this place changed the course of our lives and the future of our family,” Piltch told the crowd gathered on the lawn outside the apartment complex. “Then, years later, my daughter Alyson came here, and I had the joy of watching her experience the same sense of discovery and personal growth that I had experienced. The community here taught me to be a better person and to be more inquisitive, and I saw those same qualities take root in her. It is deeply meaningful to me to be able to honor my parents, my siblings and my daughter in a place where so much of our family’s story began.”
October 3, 2026
Piltch’s own HWS journey began in 1977. He majored in American studies and history, was a member of Delta Chi and worked at Saga Dining Hall, earning money to help pay for his education. He was the recipient of the Warren C. Schwartz ’58 Memorial Scholarship. Piltch went on to build a career in a number of roles across the public and private sectors and currently serves as President of Risk Strategies Consulting.
During the dedication, Piltch announced that each of the residential buildings would be named for someone who had a significant impact on his HWS experience and life. The buildings will honor the late former Director of Financial Aid Robert R. Freeman, the late former Financial Aid Administrative Assistant June W. Kuryla P’75, P’78, P’84, GP’04, GP’07, the late Professor of Anthropology Toni Flores, the late Professor of History Frank O’Laughlin, Nadine Agree ’82, who was in attendance at the ceremony and Trustee Emeritus Herbert J. Stern ’58, P’03, LL.D. ’74, who was in attendance with his son, Trustee Samuel Stern ’03. Also there were members of the Freeman and Kuryla families as well as Mara O’Laughlin ’66, L.H.D. ’13 and Stuart’s daughter Maggie Feldman-Piltch.
That spirit of gratitude has long defined Piltch’s service and philanthropy at HWS. He served on the HWS Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2010, and his generosity includes establishing or significantly contributing to nine endowed scholarships and providing ongoing support to Geneva Scholarship Associates and other efforts to expand educational opportunity.
“Stuart has never forgotten the people who helped him succeed,” said Gearan at the dedication. “When someone has made a difference to him, he looks for a way to make sure that difference continues.”
Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Becca Morris said the newly renovated apartments offer students a sense of home while keeping them connected to campus.
“Mr. Piltch, this new opportunity for students to live on campus, have a sense of independence, be close to academic buildings and the arts campus, truly will not just be desired by juniors, seniors and graduate students, but will help potential students see the wide variety of housing options HWS has to offer,” said Morris, noting there is a waiting list already in place.
Student Trustees Cori Bohan ’27 and Rupert Ramsay ’27 shared students’ enthusiasm for the new housing option and appreciation for Piltch’s recognition of those who shaped his HWS experience. “To us, that perfectly symbolizes the lasting connections students make here,” Ramsay said. Bohan also recognized Students for Humanitarian Justice for helping facilitate the transition from Geneva Gardens to HWS housing, working with former residents and the Campus Life Office to develop thoughtful solutions.
For Gearan, the Piltch Family Commons is a fitting expression of that legacy.
“This is not simply a name on a building,” Gearan said. “The Piltch Family Commons will be a place where students build friendships, celebrate milestones, navigate the challenges of college, share meals, welcome one another home and create memories that will last long after they graduate.”
As the ceremony concluded, Gearan formally dedicated the space to the Piltch family. “May it be filled for many years to come with friendship, learning, laughter and the unmistakable energy of HWS students,” he said.
Pictured Above: Student Trustees Rupert Ramsay ’27 and Cori Bohan ’27, along with Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Becca Morris, unveil the Piltch Family Commons sign as President Mark D. Gearan applauds during the dedication ceremony.
