HWS News Top Stories
24 October 2025HWS Awarded $5M State Grant to Fuel Construction of Fish Center for the Sciences
State partnership supports new era of science at HWS.
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18 September 2025HWS Launches Melly Scholarship to Empower Future Leaders
Scholarship Honors Legacy of Tom Melly ’52 with $46,000 Annual Merit Award and Transformative Opportunities.
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6 August 2025Grosso Family Gift Honors Shared HWS Experience
A gift from Kristin and Christopher Grosso P’25 recognizes the relationship-rich culture HWS extends to parents as well as students, creating a powerful legacy for both.
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1 August 2025Melly Gift Leads $113M Fundraising Year
Support for Hobart and William Smith students, programs and facilities reaches historic levels during a remarkable start of capital campaign.
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3 July 2025Honoring a Legend: Aliceann Wilber
Led by Chip Carver ’81 and Anne DeLaney, HWS announces fundraising effort to name head coach position in honor of Aliceann Wilber.
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24 June 2025A Legacy of Gratitude
Impactful time for Dr. Michael Dick ’70, P’09 and his family inspire gift to empower future generations in the sciences.
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18 June 2025Investing in Collaborative Summer Research
A 1974 alumnus looks to fund summer research initiatives that challenge students to think across disciplines and explore new ways of understanding.
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13 June 2025Igniting Global Futures: Five Students Awarded with Salisbury International Internship Stipend
Funded by the Charles H. Salisbury Summer International Internship Stipend, students get on-the-ground experience abroad.
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12 June 2025Reunion 2025: Celebrating a Record-Setting $12M in Support for HWS
Reunion 2025 reminded us of what it truly means to go Further Together. From celebrations on the Quad to engaging moments back in the classroom, it was a weekend full of connections and tradition.
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27 May 2025Global Experience, Local Impact: Students Earn Prestigious Bickley Internship Awards
With support from the Bickley International Internship Award, three HWS students will pursue hands-on professional experiences in the Czech Republic, Spain and the U.K., advancing their academic and career goals on a global stage.
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22 May 2025Howes '27 Awarded Prestigious Hollings Scholarship
HWS sophomore joins an elite group of U.S. undergraduates recognized for academic excellence with sought after research scholarship.
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1 May 2025Rickey Foundation Bolsters Support for Science Scholarship
In conjunction with Further Together: The Campaign for Our Third Century, the Brenda and Dave Rickey Foundation adds $100,000 to scholarship fund for chemistry majors.
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23 April 2025Alumnus Hay Makes Estate Bequest to HWS Sailing
Sailing enthusiast Warren Kingsland Hay ’59 leaves 50% of estate to high-performing HWS Sailing team.
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22 April 2025Scholarship Day of Donors is Back, April 30-May 1
HWS seeks to create another 50 Annual Fund Scholarships by engaging the entire HWS community.
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15 April 2025Honoring a Legacy: The Professor Iva E. Deutchman Annual Fund Scholarship
To preserve her impact and influence on HWS students, the family of the late Professor Iva Deutchman establishes a scholarship in her honor.
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10 March 2025Gantcher Family Foundation Funds Student-Led Grant Program
A grant from the Gantcher Family Foundation gives students the opportunity to make a tangible impact.
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28 February 2025Breaking the Stigma: The Bonners Return to HWS to Talk Mental Health
Heather Bonner ’88 and Sean Bonner ’88 returned to campus to discuss mental health with HWS student athletes and clubs.
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28 February 2025ADOD Continues 3 Year Tradition of Breaking $1M
It’s an Athletics Day of Donors “three-peat!” For the third year in a row, the 24-hour giving day raised more than $1 million for HWS Athletics.
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18 February 2025Largest Gift in HWS History: $70 Million from L. Thomas Melly ’52 and Judith Hershey Melly
A transformative $70 million gift from Trustee Chair Emeritus L. Thomas Melly ’52, L.H.D. ’02 and Judith Hershey Melly L.H.D. ’16 will significantly impact HWS, enhancing student access, supporting academic excellence and fostering innovation.
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24 January 2025The Karofskys Make An Unrestricted Gift of $1 Million
Rob ’89 and Ann Karofsky commit $1 million. Their gift will be directed to advances in the sciences.
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20 December 2024New Science Center to be Named for Alumna Cynthia Fish
Hobart and William Smith honors Cynthia Gelsthorpe Fish ’82, L.H.D. ’23 and John F. Fish for their $25 million gift to key academic priority.
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25 November 2024DeSimone Jr. '89 Honors Parents with Endowed Scholarship
With a $1 million gift, Joe DeSimone Jr. ’89 establishes a scholarship in honor of his parents, who are also HWS alumni.
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15 November 2024Stephen Wong ’89 Commits $1M to Support International Scholarships
HWS Trustee Stephen Wong ’89 establishes endowed scholarship to support international student representation and encourage cross-cultural exchange.
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8 November 2024Allison Morrow ’76 Commits $5.125 Million to Support Sciences and Annual Fund at HWS
Morrow’s gift will support advances in the sciences at HWS.
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31 October 2024Poole Family Names Hobart Head Soccer Coach Position
The generosity of Honorary Trustee Thomas B. Poole ’61, P’91, L.H.D. ’06 and Mary Jane Poole P’91 is the latest in a long history of philanthropy benefitting HWS.
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22 October 2024Announcing the Bozzuto Family Endowed Fund for Scientific Excellence
A $1 million commitment from former Chair of the Board of Trustees Tom Bozzuto ’68, L.H.D. ’18 and Barbara Bozzuto will support innovative scientific teaching and research in perpetuity.
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16 October 2024Celebrating the New Seneca Society Members
HWS honors extraordinary philanthropy.
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26 September 2024Endowed Scholarship Honors Michael Max Henry '78
A new endowed scholarship commemorates Michael Max Henry ’78 and his deep appreciation for HWS.
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19 September 2024Cook Parents Circle Reaches Milestone
Now with more than 200 members, a philanthropic group of non-alumni current and former parents continues driving lifechanging opportunities at Hobart and William Smith.
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12 September 2024HWS Parents Support Club Hockey Program
A gift from Alex Clyde P’24 and Tom Meskan P’24 pays tribute to their son’s academic and cocurricular experiences at HWS.
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11 September 2024Thinking About the Future: Brad Spring '88 Gives Back to HWS Sciences
In recognition of the lasting impact of his education, Brad Spring ’88 establishes an endowed scholarship and summer science support for future generations of HWS students.
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30 July 2024$103 Million: HWS Donors Support Record Giving Year as Campaign Launches
New gifts and commitments totaled $103 million during the 2023-24 fiscal year — by far the largest fundraising year in HWS history. Fundraising success leads to leadership shifts in Advancement.
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23 July 2024Dr. Friedman ’67 Endows Scholarship
Harold Friedman M.D., Ph.D. ’67 reaches back to support science education and opportunities.
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19 July 2024New Scholarship Honors Rawlins '80, P'16
A new scholarship will remember Trustee Michael Rawlins ’80, P’16, who died unexpectedly in late 2023.
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17 July 2024Green Scholarship Strengthens HWS-Western NY Connections
The William and Diane Green P’83, P’87 Endowed Scholarship supports students from the Buffalo-Niagara Region.
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11 July 2024Providing Access: Romano '82 Endows Scholarship
Scholarship named after Joseph Romano’s father, who emphasized the value of a college education.
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13 May 2024Supporting First Generation Students
Funding empowers students’ liberal arts experience.
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10 May 2024Roberts '89 Establishes Doc Heaton Scholarship
Friendship with late religious studies professor motivates philanthropy.
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10 May 2024Scholarship Day of Donors Exceeds Goals
In its second year, the Scholarship Day of Donors receives gifts from more than 500 alumni, parents, families and students, contributing nearly $370,000.
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9 May 2024Provenzano Student Art Gallery Dedicated
Dominic Provenzano '72, P'04 was thanked for the impact the new student art gallery provides to the heart of campus.
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2 May 2024Vincent '83 Endows Scholarship
Life-changing experience paves the way to support students.
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26 April 2024Empowering Exploration, Creating Futures
A gift from Trustee JB Robinson ’96 boosts HWS Career Services and encourages students to explore the breadth of the liberal arts curriculum.
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11 April 2024Historic Philanthropy Launches Campaign to Transform HWS
$100M in donations accelerates the launch of “Further Together: The Campaign for Our Third Century”
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19 March 2024A Sense of Freedom and Belonging
Trustee Mehrnaz “Naz” Vahid-Ahdieh ’85, P’17 came to the U.S. to escape the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Her recent gift establishes a scholarship to support students who have also come to the U.S. as refugees or immigrants.
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20 February 2024Vichnesses Support Students Through Planned Gift
Planned gift from Sharlene ’66 and Paul Vichness ’65 honors Sharlene’s parents.
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24 January 2024Moses '89 Endows Lacrosse Coaching Position
Invaluable experiences on team spur giving back.
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18 January 2024“Life-Changing Impacts”: Gift Supports Opportunity and Experience
A new gift celebrates first-generation students and wide-ranging research opportunities, with support for an endowed scholarship and four endowed summer research funds.
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5 December 2023Arnoff Regatta Celebrates 10th Anniversary
HWS Sailing took first place at the annual race, which honors the late David Lee Arnoff ’82.
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17 November 2023Longo Family Scholarship Honors Coaches
In honor of William Smith Soccer Head Coach Aliceann Wilber P’12, L.H.D. ’22 and Hobart Hockey Head Coach Mark Taylor, Joseph and Pam Sherman Longo P’15, P’21 have established the Longo Family Scholarship.
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15 November 2023Heaton/Dr. Franks Celebrated
New endowed professorship enhances Religious Studies curriculum and study of human rights, genocide and social justice.
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6 October 2023Heron Society Celebrates 40 Years
Funding celebrates four decades of athletic society.
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29 September 2023Fundraising Tops $35 Million in 2022-23
New gifts and commitments to Hobart and William Smith totaled nearly $36 million during the 2022-23 fiscal year, the second best fundraising year in the Colleges’ history.
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22 September 2023Announcing the Carver DeLaney Suite
Renovations to Heron Soccer Suite made possible thanks to the generosity of Trustee Calvin R. “Chip” Carver Jr. ’81 and his wife, Anne DeLaney.
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13 September 2023Elliott Commits $5.5M for Scholarships and Annual Fund
The latest gift from Honorary Trustee Katherine D. Elliott ’66, L.H.D. ’08 provides historic support for need-based financial aid.
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13 July 2023Wassermans’ $500K Gift Supports HWS Science Center
HWS Trustee Dr. Richard Wasserman ’70 and his wife Tina are investing in the Colleges’ vision of a modern facility that fosters STEM teaching, learning, research and collaboration.
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20 June 2023Lyon Doubles Down on Scholarship Support
A new gift from Dr. David Lyon ’67 adds $325,000 toward endowed scholarship funding for pre-med students, bringing his total bequest to more than $1 million.
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14 June 2023Reunion Gifts Top $7 Million
Hobart and William Smith saw $7,022,277 in gifts from nearly 1,000 alums celebrating milestone Reunions.
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12 June 2023York '71 Commits to the Future with the Anderton Challenge
Michael ’71 and Barbara York’s $250,000 gift supporting scholarships will have 50 percent more impact through the Anderton Challenge.
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6 June 2023A Lifetime of Giving Back
Remembering former Trustee Judith Haslam Cross ’52, P’85, L.H.D.’00.
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12 May 2023Remembering Dr. Arthur Patchett P'88
A graduate of Princeton University, Cambridge University and Harvard University, Dr. Arthur Patchett P’88 worked at Merck & Company, Inc. for 44 years, retiring as Vice President of Medicinal Chemistry.
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12 May 2023Kaltschmidt ’84 Supports Theatre Scholarships
Motivated by a lifelong passion for theatre, Russell Kaltschmidt ’84 has committed to a $100,000 endowed scholarship fund to support theatre students.
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8 May 2023Inaugural Scholarship Day of Donors Tops $650K
The inaugural Scholarship Day of Donors set a giving day record for the most Annual Fund support in a single day.
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26 April 2023McCooey '76 Commits $150K to Sustained Giving
Trustee and former chair of the Annual Fund Herbert J. McCooey Jr. ’76, P’04, P’09 has committed $150,000 to Hobart and William Smith to ensure current and future students can pursue an unparalleled liberal arts education and experiential learning opportunities.
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16 March 2023Waters '59 Creates Political Science Scholarship to Honor President Mark D. Gearan
Grateful for the scholarship funding he received as a student, Joseph Waters ’59 has committed $150,000 over five years in the form of the President Mark D. Gearan Annual Scholarship. The scholarship is presented by Waters and his wife, Leslie.
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24 February 2023Athletics Day of Donors is a Record-Breaking Success
Parents, alums and fans offer more than $1million in support in a single day.
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20 February 2023Stine Family Invests in Community and Opportunity
A $3 million gift from Board Chair Craig R. Stine ’81, P’17 and Kathy Hay Stine P’17 boosts key strategic goals around entrepreneurial education, campus community and scholarships.
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1 February 2023Bright Endowed Scholarship Honors the Blessing of Community
A scholarship commitment from J. Reeve Bright ’70, P’89 and his family pays tribute to the lifelong friendships forged at Hobart and William Smith.
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19 January 2023Home Away From Home
For Rafael Rodriguez ’07, the Alger Adams ’32 Intercultural Center at HWS (or the IC, as it’s commonly known on campus) was an essential part of his college experience, his “home away from home.”
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6 January 2023Cohen '71, P'05 Commits $500K to Integrated Science Center Project
Thanks to Hobart and William Smith’s strong science and liberal arts programs, Dr. Arnold Cohen ’71, P’05 says the education he received at HWS was the best preparation for attending medical school and becoming a physician.
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15 December 2022Stein Family Commits $5 Million to Integrated Science Center Project
A generous gift from Kevin Stein ’88 and his family provides the financial foundation for a state-of-the-art building that will be the hub of scientific education at Hobart and William Smith.
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15 November 2022Commit to the Future with the Anderton Impact Challenge
Former Trustee James F. Anderton IV ’65 hopes to inspire HWS alums and friends — and leverage his $1 million gift into even more support for student scholarships and financial aid.
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26 October 2022Making the Student Experience the Best it Can Be
In 2020, David Wilson P’24 and Lisa Lexa P’24 watched as their daughter Frances Wilson ’24 missed the final months of her senior year in high school and the celebrations it entailed. Prom, graduation, sports banquets — all canceled. They wondered with trepidation what Frances’ first year of college would look like.
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11 October 2022Tapper Fund Advances Student-Faculty STEM Research
Over the past year, Professor of Chemistry Christine de Denus and her research group have made significant headway in identifying molecular wire candidates, which may one day replace silicon chips in small electronic devices. Meanwhile, students across STEM disciplines pursued collaborative research projects through the Colleges’ summer science programs.
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23 September 2022Vincent ’83 Commits $50K to IC Renovation
The renovation of the Intercultural Affairs Center received a boost from former HWS president and current Talladega College President Gregory J. Vincent ’83.
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22 September 2022Cohen ’67 Donates to Colleges, Creates Endowed Fund
Psychology Research, Internships, Leadership and Athletics will benefit from gift from Dr. Stephen L. Cohen ’67.
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16 September 2022Friedlander ’80, P’10 Offers Support through Planned Gift
Lynne Friedlander ’80, P’10 gives back, propelling HWS forward.
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30 August 2022Ames '64 Establishes Endowed Fund
Former Statesman football player Donald S. “Bud” Ames ’64 creates the Ames Endowed Fund for the Statesmen Athletic Association.
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19 August 2022Celebrating the Largest Fundraising Year in HWS History
Shattering every giving record in the history of Hobart and William Smith, during the 2021-22 fiscal year that ended on June 30, the Colleges received gifts from more than 5,200 donors for a total of $39.9 million raised.
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14 July 2022Cohen ’81 Donates HWS Debate Case
Keith Cohen ’81 says the well-rounded, liberal arts education he received as a student at HWS helped make him a successful trial attorney.
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29 April 2022Give Write Now Challenge Smashes Fundraising Goal
The Give Write Now Challenge, a 48-hour fundraising challenge to support the Writing Colleagues Program, was a breakout success.
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1 April 2022Supporting Tomorrow's Doctors
A new endowed scholarship supports pre-med students and honors family bonds.
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10 December 2021Franks '72 Creates Richard L. 'Doc' Heaton - Edward P. Franks, M.D. Professor of Human Rights, Genocide, and Social Justice
A gift from Dr. Edward Franks '72 endows a permanent fund in memory of Professor of Religious Studies Richard Heaton, in recognition of the late professors contributions to awareness of human rights.
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9 December 2021New Gift from Stephanopoulos Grows HWS Photo Collection
A donation from journalist George Stephanopoulos adds approximately 700 new items to the Collections of Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
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17 November 2021Announcing the New HWS Rowing Center
Excavation and construction began this summer at the site of the Miltenberger and Bennett-Hooper Rowing Center.
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21 October 2021Strong Parents, Strong Daughters Fund
Best friends from the William Smith Class of 1984 have established the Strong Parents, Strong Daughters Fund in honor of the late Judith Murtha P'84.
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20 September 2021Paying it Forward: Breitfeld's Gift Boosts Geneva 2030
A three-year, $150,000 gift from former Genevan Dr. Philip Breitfeld will support Geneva 2030's efforts to foster success for local students.
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28 July 2021Rev. Cloughen '64 Authors One Minute Stewardship
Rev. Charles Cloughen Jr. '64 is the author of One Minute Stewardship: Creative Ways to Talk about Money in Church.
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23 July 2021New Endowment Celebrates 150 Years of Phi Beta Kappa at HWS
For academically accomplished students, there is no higher recognition than admission to Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honor society in the United States.
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19 February 2021Pitch Contest Named for Entrepreneur Todd Feldman '89
To honor Todd Feldman 89 and his family, who generously support the HWS Entrepreneurship Fund and Opell Challenge, the HWS Pitch contest has been renamed. The 2021 Todd Feldman 89 and Family Pitc
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26 May 2020Karofsky '89 Supports Study Abroad with Gift to McGuire Fund
Robert Karofsky '89 was already an economics major when he had his first class with former Interim President and Professor Emeritus of Economics Patrick A. McGuire L.H.D. '12. "Taking that class accelerated my learning and excitement for the discipline," says Karofsky, who today serves as Co-President of the Investment Bank at UBS and a member of the UBS Group Executive Board. "He's the most extraordinary professor I have had. I believe I owe a lot to him."
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