Hobart and William Smith Colleges

31 January 2007 Campaign for the Colleges met with energy and enthusiasm across the country

Farthest region of the Northeast hosts celebration

The Northern New England Launch Celebration of Campaign for the Colleges will welcome more than 75 alums, parents and supporters of the Colleges to the Portland Harbor Hotel in Portland, Maine on Thursday, Feb. 1.

There is an infectious spirit on and off campus these days. It is exciting to see interest in the Campaign gaining momentum from Florida, where we celebrated last week, to the response from supporters living in the Northern New England area, said President Mark Gearan, who will speak at the celebration.

The Campaign, which kicked off last fall with events on campus, in New York City and Boston, will fulfill priorities established in the Colleges strategic planning initiatives, including the creation of a Performing Arts Center, expanding the Scandling Student Center, and renovating athletics facilities, as well as raising the endowment to $200 million, increasing scholarships and more.

The Portland event will be hosted by Jay 98 and Julie Limbocker 99 Flower. Honorary host committee members include Ryan D. Fendler 51, Bruce T. Myers 68, Daniel P. 73 and Hannah Hardman75 Ostrye, Brooke A. Robinson 04 and Richard M. Rogers 64.

The program will be highlighted by reflections from Jay Flower, a financial adviser for Smith Barney in Portland; Ashley B. Olen 05, a special education teacher in Portland; and entrepreneur T. Luke Gutelius 98, co-owner of maax, Inc. in Manchester, N.H.

Mara OLaughlin 66, leader of the William Smith Centennial fundraising efforts, will also speak at the Portland event. Its a privilege to attend and reconnect with such a remarkable group of alums, she said.