Advancement Division
Annual Report 2008-2009

• Home
• All-Campus Appeal 2009
• Doors to Success Campaign
  • A Need for Scholarships
  • Student Educational Enrichment
  • Academic Program Enhancement
  • Cultural Programming
  • Unrestricted Endowment Increase
  • Naming Opportunities
  • Message from the Chairman
  • Campaign Video
• News
• Advancement Annual Report
• Financial
• Give to an Existing Fund
• Make an Unrestricted Gift
• Endow a New Fund
  • Named Endowment
  • Building Toward Endowment
  • Doors to Opportunity Pooled Fund
• Plan a Legacy Gift
  • Planned Giving Resources
  • Request E-brochures
  • Bequest Sample Language
• Scholarships & Funds
  • Veterans Scholarship
  • Veterans Memorial List
• Contact Us
  • University Advancement Division

Executive Summary

The Division of University Advancement is charged with creating and strengthening SUNY Fredonia's relationships with important partners. The Development and Alumni Affairs areas coordinate outreach activities and initiatives with friends and donors, as well as Fredonia's more than 38,000 alumni. Through governmental relations efforts, the division works strategically with elected officials at the county, state and federal levels of government to maximize funding opportunities for the university. The Public Relations department manages the flow of information between the university and a variety of internal and external audiences. It includes, but is not limited to, media relations, community relations, publications, and student/employee relations activities, and supports the efforts of alumni and governmental relations as well as development.

Development and the Fredonia College Foundation

The Development office is the primary fundraising operation of SUNY Fredonia. It works with alumni, friends, foundations, corporations and organizations, inviting active support of SUNY Fredonia's goals. The mission of the Fredonia College Foundation is to promote, advance and support the activities and programs of SUNY Fredonia. In doing so, the foundation administers resources and supervises the investment of philanthropic funds and other revenues for the university.

 The Foundation House at 272 Central Ave.

The Fredonia College Foundation was incorporated in 1964. The foundation was established to accept financial contributions, to hold and invest endowment accounts, and to award grants to strengthen the educational programs of SUNY Fredonia. It is a not-for-profit corporation separate from the university that exists solely for the benefit of the school. A volunteer board of directors oversees its activities, and all contributions to the foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Fredonia College Foundation support enriches SUNY Fredonia in many ways:

• Faculty educational advancement
• Visiting lectureships
• Performers and artists-in-residence
• Scholarships for students
• Loans to students in need

In addition to enriching the educational experience, the foundation works to place SUNY Fredonia on an even playing field with private institutions by providing funding for activities and programs that are not funded by the State University of New York system.

The Fredonia College Foundation continues to provide the margin of excellence that makes SUNY Fredonia one of the top public universities in the North. Each year, the foundation provides funding for student scholarships and special academic enrichment. These private dollars are essential to SUNY Fredonia's success and have helped boost its ranking among the nation's best public universities. In 2008, total foundation assets were $16,045,051, and the dollar value of gifts received in the year ending December 31, 2008 was $2,007,904.

This past year was especially challenging due to the severe economic downturn in the nation's economy. In addition, SUNY Fredonia faced one of the toughest budgetary environments in its history in 2008-09, as state funding dropped to historic lows. To help keep the university strong, the Fredonia College Foundation, working in tandem with the Development office, has embarked upon a $15 million dollar capital campaign to support new scholarships, educational enrichment, research opportunities and cultural activities. The public phase of the Doors to Success Capital Campaign for Fredonia was launched in a highly publicized campus ceremony on May 2, 2008.

Notable Fredonia College Foundation accomplishments in 2008 included completion of an agreement with PG Calc for gift annuity administrative services; adjustment of the foundation spending policy from 5 percent to 4 percent to reflect the decline in equity markets; the completion of two new campaign-related brochures pertaining to endowing chairs and professorships and building Science and Technology Center funds; several important bylaw revisions, including increasing the authorized membership of the board of directors to 33; and establishing the Doors to Opportunity Pooled Fund to encourage donors to build endowments.

The Fredonia College Foundation Board of Directors nominated six individuals for board membership for 2009: Thomas Bijou, Robert Coon, Deborah Kathman, Dr. Jeffery Kelly, Judy Metzger, and James Sommer. Five departing board members were added to the Honorary ranks, including Dr. Rocco Doino, Gileen French, Walter Gotowka, Stan Lundine, and Nancy Yocum.

The following slate of incumbent directors to be reappointed for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2008 and concluding December 31, 2010, was submitted and approved: Amos Goodwine, Jean Malinsoki, Dr. Michael Marletta, Bard Schaack, and Carol Ward. In addition, six new board members agreed to serve three-year terms, January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011 as follows: Philip Belena, Carol Boltz, Shirley Erbsmehl, Walter Gotowka, Cathy Marion, and Michael Petsky.

The following slate of officers for 2009 was submitted and approved:

Chair                                Kurt Maytum

Vice Chair                         Michael Schiavone

Secretary                          Jean Malinoski

Treasurer                          Dr. Richard Gilman

Immediate Past Chair        Carol Ward

Doors to Success Capital Campaign Update

Participation in the Doors to Success campaign has been strong. The campaign concluded its third year with $8,769,911 received in gifts, pledges and bequest commitments as of June 30, 2009. Despite the severe economic climate, the capital campaign continues to make steady progress toward its $15 million dollar goal by December 31, 2011. While giving from individuals to establish endowments was a challenge, group fundraising efforts were quite successful. The NABTA Fund reached endowment as a result of 152 gifts from 66 individual donors. The Dr. Georgiana von Tornow Scholarship endowment reached $50,000 through the participation of 124 individuals and one company for a total of 164 gifts. The Kristen Luther Scholarship and Dr. Homer Garretson and Dr. Louis Richardson String Scholarship were also supported through group fundraising activities.

The Campus Capital Campaign and Joint Campaign Steering committees met regularly throughout the year to monitor the progress of various campaign-related efforts and provide advice and counsel as appropriate. The Doors to Success campaign website has been reviewed and updated, and a campaign video has also been developed. The Development office team comprised of Dr. David Tiffany, Karen West, Betty Gossett, Timothy Murphy, Heather McKeever, June Miller-Spann and Richard Ryan continued to work with a select list of prospects and, during 2008, logged over 900 substantial contacts with major donors and prospects. Throughout the year, emphasis was placed on donor stewardship activities and educating donors and prospects about opportunities to support SUNY Fredonia.

Annual Fund

Gifts to the Annual Fund during 2008 totaled $283,494. Direct mail solicitations generated $80,359, while various Phonathon campaigns brought in $63,862. Giving by faculty, staff and emeritus amounted to $82,344. The annual corporate appeal provided $26,900 in support. The 2008 year-end appeal, which included mailing labels as a premium, was successful and garnered $25,797. Although Annual Fund receipts were down 6.8 percent for 2008, receipts for the last three months of the year increased 1.6 percent compared with the same period in 2007. In 2008, 199 new donors were acquired.

As an incentive to encourage support from faculty, staff and emeritus faculty/staff as part of the All-Campus Appeal, the board agreed to provide $60,000 in "matching" money for new or increased donations to endowed accounts received on or after October 1, 2008. The foundation approved a match of 50 cents to every dollar, up to a maximum of $500 per individual donor, with funds from the foundation's unrestricted account. In excess of $43,000 in matching funds was made available to the All-Campus Appeal. In 2008, 120 payroll deduction pledges totaling $66,227 were received as of January 2009, compared to 104 payroll deductions totaling $58,609 in 2008, a 13 percent increase.

Summary of Major Development and Fredonia College Foundation Activities

President Dennis L. Hefner at the dedication of Carnahan-Jackson Center
for Learning and Scholarship.

• In 2008, $1,408,752 in scholarships and grants were awarded.
• All-Campus Appeal incentive in the amount of $60,000 approved for 2008.
• A contract was completed for annuity administrative services with PG Calc. There are currently 37 annuitants.
• Dedication of the Carnahan-Jackson Center for Learning and Scholarship was held on May 2, 2008, in Reed Library.
• A successful President's Associates and Dallas K. Beal Legacy Society (major donors) event was held in the Cranston Marché followed by a performance of the spring musical, "Victor/Victoria" on May 2, 2008.
• A new Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to contracts for three foundation employees was completed and approved.
• The foundation board decreased the endowment spending rate from 5 percent to 4 percent at the October meeting, in response to the economic recession and equity markets. The spending policy will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis.
• Several bylaw revisions pertaining to donor records and changes in Article II - increasing the number of Directors, Section I, Article III, Section 6 (Assistant Executive Director), Article III, Section 7 (Honorary Chair), Article III, Section 8 (Executive Committee), and Article IV, Section I (Ownership) were completed at the October meeting.
• Lake Shore Savings Bank made a generous gift to support the 2009 purchase of the "Popeye" sculpture located on the Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center plaza.
• The board authorized working with the Research Foundation of the State University of New York in forming a non-profit corporation to oversee the new Business Technology Incubator.
• The position of Associate Vice President for Development and Assistant Executive Director of the Fredonia College Foundation was filled in October 2008.
• The Fredonia College Foundation endowment asset allocation, consisting of 59 percent equity, 35 percent fixed income and 6 percent real estate represents a balanced portfolio with a moderate risk profile. Investments are diversified by asset class using index-based funds, and follow the prudent person standard.
• The annual Scholars Breakfast was held on September 27 in the Steele Hall indoor track with 850 people in attendance.
• The Fredonia College Foundation Distinguished Service Awards dinner was held on May 9, 2009. This year's honorees, which must be citizens and organizations that make significant contributions to society through business, government, education or the arts, were Gileen W. French, The Holmberg Foundation, and the Quatroche Family.

Alumni Affairs

The Office of Alumni Affairs serves approximately 38,000 graduates of SUNY Fredonia. The SUNY Fredonia Alumni Association supports the university by sponsoring events such as Homecoming and reunion gatherings (both on- and off-campus), providing scholarships, and offering support to alumni through networking and mentoring opportunities.

The Fredonia Alumni Association Board of Directors has a profound impact on the success of the Office of Alumni Affairs' programs, goals and objectives. All of their work promotes and builds upon SUNY Fredonia's proud traditions and sense of community and connection.  

Alumni activities continued to be strong. Highlights from the past year include the following:

• The Fredonia Alumni Association gave honor cords and mementos to the Class of 2009.
• The Class of 2009 successfully challenged the previous class and raised approximately $4,000, making it the most successful Senior Challenge campaign to date. Members of the class targeted their funds toward the refurbishing of the Japanese garden adjacent to Reed Library. The project will be completed by Fall 2009.
• The new Alumni Portal was successfully launched on June 13, 2009 at http://alumni.fredonia.edu. Feedback on the new site has been extremely positive.
• Contract negotiations with Harris Connect Publishing for a new Alumni Directory were completed in early Spring 2009. Publication of the directory is slated for June 2011.
• Alumni have also been serving as wonderful recruiters for the university. A number of local graduates from the College of Education had indicated an interest in having their students visit the Fredonia campus. On April 8, 2009, the Alumni Office hosted 54 third grade students from Forestville Central School. On April 22, 215 eighth grade students from Lake Shore Central School were also guests of the Alumni Office. The experience for all students (and the Alumni staff) was very positive.
• The Class of 1958 and 1959 held very successful two-day reunions in June 2008 and June 2009.
• In addition to the 50-year class reunions, members of the Class of 1954 met over dinner on June 6, at the White Inn. A reunion luncheon in honor of the members of the Class of 1939 was also held at the White Inn, on June 12, 2009, 70 years to the day the class graduated from the Fredonia Normal School.
• Regional reunions were held in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Gilbert, Ariz.; Atlanta, Ga.; Naples, Ft. Lauderdale, The Villages and Clearwater Beach, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; Los Angeles and San Francisco, Calif.; Manhattan, Syracuse, Corning, Buffalo, Long Island, N.Y.; and London, England.
• Over 90 applications (the most that have ever been submitted) were received for Children and Grandchildren of Alumni Scholarships, and more than 300 applications were received for the Undergraduate Alumni Council Awards. Approximately $25,000 was awarded.
• The Senior Challenge, representing the Class of 2008's class gift, raised over $3,000 toward the construction of a new Temple Street entrance sign.
• Helen Tinch Williams, '60, a former music teacher (and mother of actress Vanessa Williams) visited campus in April 2008, and met with School of Music faculty and students.
• Roberta Guaspari, '69, a renowned violin teacher in Harlem and violinist in her own right, visited campus in May 2008 to honor former School of Music faculty members, Dr. Homer Garretson and Dr. Louis Richardson, with the announcement of a new endowed scholarship.
• Dennis Costello, '72, managing director/principal with Baemar Energy presented the talk, "Technology Developments in Energy," in September 2008 at the School of Business Speakers Series luncheon. Mr. Costello also serves on the Science and Technology Center Executive Committee.
• Tony Vitrano, '83, president/CEO of Gameday Management Group and ClickandPark.com also spoke at the School of Business Speakers Series luncheon in April 2009, and met with School of Business students. Mr. Vitrano serves on the School of Business Advisory Committee.
• Dr. John Baust, '65, UNESCO chair, and professor at SUNY Binghamton and director, Institute of Biomedical Technology, presented a career seminar, "From Bugs and Butterflies to Cancer Therapies" in April 2009. Dr. Baust is also editor-in-chief of Cell Preservation Technology.
• The People of Color Concerns Conference took place on campus in April 2008, in conjunction with the Educational Development Program's (EDP) 40^th anniversary celebration. The alumni association co-sponsored a dinner and breakfast for approximately 100 graduates.
• Homecoming 2008 was held on October 17-19. In addition to honoring John Poppo, '84 (Sound Recording Technology), and Michael Petsky, '85 (Business Administration), other highlights included dedicating the lobby of Marvel Theatre in memory of former faculty member Dr. Georgiana von Tornow; recognizing the 50^th anniversary of Men's Soccer at Fredonia; inducting the newest class of athletes into the Hall of Fame; celebrating the 10^th, 25^th and 40^th class anniversaries; numerous musical concerts and athletic contests; and a host of other events.
• The fourth Alumni Leadership Conference brought 28 Communication Disorders and Sciences alumni to campus in June 2009 for a successful two-day event.

Public Relations

The Public Relations office provides important information to SUNY Fredonia's internal and external audiences through all available media and other communication channels, including responding to Freedom of Information Law requests. In addition, the office is responsible for planning long-term strategies for university-wide marketing communications, supporting campus and community event management and other promotional efforts; administering, editing and designing university websites; directing photography; and writing, editing and publishing The Statement alumni magazine and the weekly Campus Report online news update.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher visited the
Fredonia campus on Aug. 17, 2009 and delivered
the keynote address at the third annual Teaching
and Learning Conference.

Important accomplishments during the 2008-09 academic year include the following:

• Established key regional media contacts and garnered coverage in: The Buffalo News, Business First, WGRZ-TV, WIVB-TV, WKBW-TV, WBEN-AM, WNED-TV/AM-FM, WBFO-FM, Buffalo Spree Magazine, Bee Publications, and Buffalo.com; in Erie, Pa.: The Erie Times-News, WICU-TV; and in Chautauqua County: The Observer, Post Journal, Time Warner Cable News, The Leader, WNYF-TV, and SUNY Fredonia radio stations.
• Produced a television ad that aired on local stations over a four-week period in Western New York in March 2008, and again over a four-week period in late November through early December 2008. The ad was recognized with a Judges' Citation by the State University of New York Council for University Advancement in 2009.
• Completed enhancements to the Advancement/Fredonia College Foundation website.
• Launched a PR Publicity Request Portal to allow for single-source campus requests for press releases, Campus Report stories, media advisories, and photo requests.
• Continued efforts on the formation of an alumni online community portal which was launched during the summer of 2009.
• Worked with the campus Sustainability Committee to publish weekly "Go Green" articles in The Leader throughout the year, in addition to publicizing the campus' recycling and conservation efforts.
• Developed content and managed the overall design, photography and production of the new Admissions viewbook, Experience, and instilled a consistent brand design among all Admissions print pieces.
• Developed content and managed the overall design, photography, and production of the Fredonia College Foundation annual report.
• Handled publicity efforts and coordinated photography needs for numerous Homecoming events, including the Pep Rally, Ruterbusch run, alumni awards ceremonies, von Tornow dedication, and numerous sporting events.
• Worked with Youniversity TV to coordinate an on-campus visit to film and produce a video which is accessible at no cost to prospective students via its website.
• Transitioned Campus Report to a weekly distribution when classes are in session.
• Created a SUNY Fredonia Experts Database for internal and external media reference, and have actively distributed it to regional reporters and assignment editors.
• Purchased Smart Catalog software/service package to transition the SUNY Fredonia catalog to a 100 percent on-line publication.

SUNY Fredonia Highlights in 2008-09

This past year was both exciting and successful for SUNY Fredonia. Progress continued on the highly anticipated SUNY Fredonia Business Technology Incubator, which will offer a variety of resources to more than 30 start-up companies with a technology focus and commitment to Western New York. The Business Technology Incubator facility's architectural plans were unveiled in January 2009, and $147,000 in federal funding, made possible through the efforts of Congressman Brian Higgins, was received in February. The new facility will open in Fall 2009.

Progress continues to be made on planning and design for a new $60 million dollar Science and Technology Center on campus. The first gas well on campus, located on Ring Road, resulted in a producing well. Two additional wells may be drilled in the future, which should result in further energy savings for the university.

Summer construction projects included continued work on the campus-wide satellite boiler system; several Residence Hall and parking lot improvements; additional work on the soccer stadium including a support building to accommodate team rooms, first aid station, locker rooms, concession area, restrooms, ticket booth and press area; the new Center Pointe Lounge in the Williams Center's lower level; and various lighting, signage, bench, sidewalk and roof replacements throughout the campus. The campus also began constructing its new child care center in May 2009, with a completion date of Spring 2010 targeted.

Applications to SUNY Fredonia continued to be strong as a record 6,623 applications from high school seniors were received for the Fall 2009 term, an increase of more than 120 from the previous year. The first week of May also marked the second consecutive year the university closed the freshmen admissions process early. These 6,623 applications led to 1,138 freshmen deposits. The quality of incoming freshmen continues to be impressive. The average Fall 2009 freshman carried a 90 high school average and scored approximately 1,120 on the SAT exam. The class of 2013 will be one of the largest freshman classes in SUNY Fredonia's 183-year history.

Finally, this past year saw the second Conference on Teaching and Learning, creation of the Professional Development Center in Reed Library, expansion of first-year programs, preparation of a campus-wide Diversity Plan, strengthening of internship and service learning opportunities, expanded study abroad programs, and completion of the campus wireless system.

Summary

The Division of University Advancement supports, encourages, and promotes SUNY Fredonia's academic mission and vision by interacting with alumni, friends, and the greater community. Our goal is to engage and connect these constituencies with the university to garner support and secure resources that will enhance SUNY Fredonia's place in higher education. The Division of University Advancement is steadfastly committed to serving the interests, priorities and mission of SUNY Fredonia in the 2009-2010 academic year and beyond.