The Stony Brook Alumni Association has reached an exciting milestone this year – total SBAA giving towards the Campaign for Stony Brook has surpassed $1 million. The Stony Brook Alumni Association is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to reach, serve and engage all Stony Brook alumni, students and other constituencies to foster a lifelong intellectual and emotional connection between the University and its graduates.
“I’m very proud of this milestone,” said SBAA Board President, Bedel Saget. “The Alumni Association’s giving of over $1 million (to date) to the Campaign is a testament of our support of President Stanley’s “Far Beyond” vision and hard work. We’ve been fortunate that our partnership with the University has allowed us to witness first-hand Stony Brook’s tremendous growth and upward trajectory. I urge all of our alums to get engaged; to celebrate the accomplishments and successes of our fellow alums, students and professors; and to join us in committing to the success of this campaign to ensure the continued growth and renowned status of our beloved University.”
Of this $1 million, over 50 percent of funds have supported student scholarships, while the rest benefited interdepartmental collaborations and student programs.
The Alumni Association has a long history of giving to Stony Brook. In 1970, the Association gave $1,500 in support of campus development projects. Over the years, alumni participation in fundraising grew. Today, the Association has surpassed this gift many times over, with their largest gift to the University totaling $125,000 – a gift that was matched by the Simon’s Challenge for a total impact of $250,000. The growth in Association giving very much exemplifies campaign priorities, as these gifts continue to provide scholarships which allow students to receive a world-class education they can afford.
When asked how the Alumni Association has succeeded in increasing giving to such a large extent, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, Matthew Colson said “The Alumni Association is stronger now than it ever has been with 100 percent of the Board of Directors making their own personal gifts annually, more people involved and stronger partnerships on and off campus; they remain focused on meaningful engagement of their alumni and support for our students” He also credits the fundraising efforts behind signature events such as the Annual Scholarship Golf Classic, which has provided over $400,000 to date in direct student scholarship support and financial awards for students since it’s inception 17 years ago.
The Campaign for Stony Brook, a $600 million comprehensive campaign, will run through July of 2018. To date, the Campaign for Stony Brook has raised $564.4 Million of the $600 Million goal. Join the Alumni Association and the Board of Directors in their commitment to the Campaign for Stony Brook by making a gift of your own.
Learn more about the Alumni Association.
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