Capital campaign records, 1981-2012

The three most recent capital campaigns have been some of the largest fundraising campaigns in the history of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Capital campaigns raise funds for the endowment, for building projects and renovations, and for scholarships and awards.

The 1984 Campaign for the Colleges, announced on April 30, 1984, was initially designed as a three-year effort to raise $13 million for construction of the Scandling Center, for the endowment, and for renovation of theatre and science facilities. This goal was completed in only two years. After the $13 million goal was reached, the Board of Trustees, in May of 1986, decided to extend the campaign from $13 million to $20 million. The new objectives for the extension of the campaign were to continue increasing the endowment, to continue to improve existing campus facilities, and to build a field house to provide much-needed indoor recreation space. The Robert A. Bristol Field House was built as part of this campaign.

In 1994 the colleges embarked on a $75 million campaign titled Generating Ideals & Transforming Lives: The Campaign for Hobart and William Smith Colleges. This campaign raised funds for three critical areas: the endowment, current programs, and facilities. Endowment funds that were supported by this campaign include the Performing and Visual Arts Endowment Fund, the International Study Endowment Fund, the President's Scholars Endowment Fund, and the Honors Program Endowment fund, among others.

Rosenberg Hall, housing the Departments of Chemistry and Biology, and its adjacent Napier Classroom Center were both built with funds from this campaign and were dedicated at the campus Kick-Off Celebration in September-October, 1994. The campaign also funded renovations to Winn-Seeley and Bristol Gymnasiums, and a large addition and renovation to the Warren Hunting Smith Library. During this renovation the L. Thomas Melly Academic Center was added to the library. The Generating Ideals & Transforming Lives campaign ended successfully in December 1998.

In 2006 the colleges launched another campaign, also called the Campaign for the Colleges. The three primary objectives of the 2006 Campaign for the Colleges are capital building projects, the endowment, and the Annual Fund. The following information is taken from the colleges' website:

"Campaign for the Colleges supports the Colleges' strategic plan HWS 2010. The Campaign seeks to raise funds for on-campus improvements including a Performing Arts Center, the renovation of the Scandling Center and athletics facilities, preserving the legacy of the campus, and providing cutting-edge Information Technology services. Another portion is dedicated to the Colleges' endowment funds to ensure scholarships and internships for students and endowed professorships for faculty members, and to secure the future of programs like global education. The Campaign also recognizes the first 100 years of William Smith College, 1908-2008, with a Centennial celebration November 7-9, 2008." For more information visit the campaign website: http://www.hws.edu/alumni/campaign/