College Foundation Celebrates 40th Year

Students celebrate at Red Day

The College at Oneonta Foundation is celebrating its 40th year of supporting affordable access to high-quality academic experiences for students at SUNY Oneonta.

Since its establishment on March 19, 1982, the Foundation has been committed to raising and administering gifts and grants from SUNY Oneonta alumni, parents, foundations and corporations, faculty, staff and friends to enhance the academic status of SUNY Oneonta through endowed funds, scholarships and institutional programs.

“As we reflect on our first 40 years, we remain dedicated to keeping an Oneonta education affordable, accessible, and inclusive,” said Jim Doig ’75, president of the College at Oneonta Foundation Board of Directors. “The Board of Directors of the College at Oneonta Foundation extends its deepest appreciation to every member of the Red Dragon family who makes this a reality through charitable gifts and grants of all sizes.”

Recently, the Foundation’s most ambitious fundraising campaign, "Grow. Thrive. Live. The Future of SUNY Oneonta" surpassed its original $25 million fundraising goal. “Over 80% of SUNY Oneonta students rely on scholarships and financial aid,” said SUNY Oneonta President Dr. Alberto Cardelle. “Charitable gifts and grants are more important now than ever before.”

With more than a year left until its June 2023 end date, the Grow. Thrive. Live. campaign is focusing on three new goals:

  • Endow SUNY Oneonta’s Student Emergency Fund with $1 million;
  • Establish 25 new endowed scholarships or student support funds; and
  • Increase the unrestricted portion of the endowment, which funds faculty development, student research and creative activities, internships, and other campus programs.

Paul J. Adamo ’81, vice president for College Advancement and executive director of the College at Oneonta Foundation Board of Directors, said, “Last year, the College at Oneonta Foundation awarded over $3.48 million in student and campus program support, including $2.5 million for student scholarships, internships, and student research and creative activity. This positive impact is a point of pride for our college. It is also an affirmation of the shared belief in the importance of charitable giving for our students’ academic careers and lives."

As of Dec. 31, 2021, the Foundation’s endowment and net assets were valued at $83 million – the largest among all SUNY comprehensive colleges. “The Foundation Board’s vision is to provide a $100 million endowment,” Adamo said. “We will continue our work to realize this vision, ensuring a brighter future for even more SUNY Oneonta students.”

The College at Oneonta Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of federal and state law. The board of directors is composed of 31 members, including five officers: President Jim Doig ’75, Vice President Dean Davis ’84, Secretary Carol Denson ’64, Treasurer Julie Piscitello, and Executive Director Paul J. Adamo ’81.

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