The Geneseo Foundation 50-Year Timeline (1971-2021)

1971 — As the College celebrated its centennial anniversary, Robert W. MacVittie made the visionary decision to create the Geneseo Foundation, Inc., in recognition that private support would be needed in the years ahead to supplement declining state funding for the College.

1979 — The first annual fund drive was held by the Geneseo Foundation to generate revenue to support students, faculty, and programs. Gifts made to "where needs are greatest" provide the college with the flexibility to fund top priorities like scholarships, leadership opportunities, and experiences outside the classroom that develop students holistically.

1981 — The College held its first annual President’s recognition dinner, ultimately becoming the annual President’s Gala, to thank our most generous donors. Their support shapes generations of students and builds a legacy for their future.

1984 — The first Phonathon was launched, a fundraising tradition that continues today. Every year, current Geneseo students phone alumni to connect, engage, and raise money for the College.

1990 — The Roemer Arboretum was established with an endowed gift from Spencer J. Roemer. The arboretum is a 20-acre area showcasing 70 species of trees, including a group of oak trees more than 200 years old. Dr. Roemer envisioned the area to be used as a living outdoor classroom by the College and to preserve and enhance the beauty of the Genesee Valley. His gift will care for the arboretum in perpetuity. 

1994 — The Geneseo Foundation endowment fund reached $2 million. This was a significant achievement as Geneseo had received $1 million in gifts in a single year.

1996 — Under Art Hatton, vice president emeritus for College Advancement and executive director of the Geneseo Foundation, the Geneseo Foundation announced that the 125th Anniversary Campaign, begun in 1993, had raised more than seven million dollars, surpassing its original goal by over two million dollars. 

2004 — The Geneseo Foundation provided more than $1 million a year in support of faculty and student projects. Today, the foundation supports nearly 500 scholarships and 300 student and faculty awards, including TRAC (Travel, Research, and Creativity) grants, plus assistantships, fellowships, and ambassadorships.

2007 —The Student Managed Investment Fund was founded by a small group of dedicated donors, including School of Business alums and Geneseo Foundation Board members, who provided $15,000 seed money for students to reinvest. As of May 2021, the club’s total assets are more than $450,000. 

2008 — Jack Kramer ’76 and Carol Patterson Kramer ’76 established the Kramer Lecture Endowment, which serves as the main support for Geneseo's GREAT Day — Geneseo Recognizing Excellence, Achievement and Talent, including student activities and the featured keynote presenter. 

2008 — The Roundtable Athletic Association (RAA) was established, a volunteer fundraising organization of the Geneseo Foundation comprised of donors, supporters, parents, alumni, and friends, who are focused on securing funding for Geneseo student-athletes. The RAA has helped to fund renovations and improvements from the construction of the College Stadium complex to locker rooms and makes an impact in other ways, for example, by offsetting funding transportation costs to athletic events.

2009 — Charles L. VanArsdale made a gift of $2.5 million to establish the Charles L. VanArsdale Endowed Chair for Entrepreneurship and Small Business. The fund was used to create VentureWorks, an entrepreneurship and networking program for Geneseo students. VentureWorks provides a launching ground for School of Business students. This gift was the first seven-figure commitment made to the Geneseo Foundation.

2010 — The Student Ambassadorship programs created by donors to support student-led projects. Each year, the College offers nine student ambassadorships in entrepreneurship, community engagement, diversity, student affairs, innovation, first-generation students, business, the arts, and leadership. John Gleason ’87 and MaryGrace Jiran Gleason ’84 are among several alumni and alumni-community groups that fund the ambassadorships to support student-designed projects that combine independent learning, innovative approaches to problem-solving and community-based action.

2013 — The Shaping Lives of Purpose capital campaign, led by campaign chair Frank Vafier, closed after successfully raising over $23 million in five years, making it Geneseo's largest fundraising initiative. 

2015 — The Geneseo Endowment reached $30 million in assets. Endowed funds support a variety of programs, including scholarships, research, lectures, faculty awards, department programs, and are established to support the College in perpetuity. 

2016 — The Donors of Distinction Wall was created to honor donors whose lifetime contributions to Geneseo exceed $1 million. Current honorees include Charles L. VanArsdale; Spencer J. Roemer; Richard J. ’46 and Mary Thomas ’40 Fernan; Cal G. Melick ’69; Edward J. Pettinella ’73; Jack ’76 and Carol Patterson ’76 Kramer; Dan ’86 and Nancy ’86 Loughran; Greg ’64 and Elizabeth O’Connell; Geneseo’s Campus Auxiliary Services; the Geneseo Student Association; and the Geneseo Alumni Association. 

2018 — Alumni, faculty, and donors united to create the Trading Room in the School of Business, which houses Bloomberg Terminals, live stock exchange updates, and space to trade and work. In 2018, the campus community celebrated the dedication of the Edward Pettinella ’73 Trading Room, honoring Ed Pettinella, who made a $750,000 endowed gift to support the annual operating costs of the trading room.

2021 — The Geneseo Foundation celebrates its 50th anniversary along with the College’s 150th anniversary. The endowment reached $44.6 million as of June 30, 2021.