A Message from President Rebecca S. Chopp - Alumni

Parents’ and Grandparents’ Fund
The Society of Families
The Colgate Parents’ and Grandparents’ Fund is a collection of gifts, small and large, that allows
the university to exceed expectations while providing an incredible learning experience to America’s
brightest undergraduates. Every gift makes an impact, whether it is an investment of $13, a Presidents’
Club-level contribution of $2,000, or more.
Led by co-chairs Ed and Maxine Kerschner P’07, ’09, parents generously contributed more than $4.6
million in fiscal year 2008 with 45% participation from current parents. Thanks to the leadership of
Doug ’50 and Sandra Campbell, P’80, ’81, GP ’05, ’08, ’09, ’12 the Grandparents’ Fund raised over
$1.1 million with 81 donors (alumni grandparents and current grandparents).
The Society of Families founder, Dr. Campbell, realized in 1954 that, “the university, like most private
schools, faces a problem since it does not charge sufficient tuition to meet the full cost of education.”
His statement still holds true today.
The tuition you pay, though important and substantial, covers only 70 percent of the real cost of
a Colgate education. We depend on endowment income and annual contributions from parents,
alumni/ae, foundations, and friends to close the gap.
The Parents’ and Grandparents’ Fund Staff
Mari Assaid
Director, Parents’ and Grandparents’ Fund
Director, Special Events
(315) 228-7167
massaid@colgate.edu
William LaRuffa
Leadership Gifts Officer
(315) 228-6925
wlaruffa@colgate.edu
Julie Partigianoni
Associate Director of the Parents’ and
Grandparents’ Fund
(315) 228-6693
jpartigianoni@colgate.edu
Heather Payne
Administrative Assistant
(315) 228-6693
hepayne@colgate.edu
Table of Contents for Parents’ Fund section
Society of Families Steering Committee..................................................................46
Global Leaders Lecture Series Challenge...............................................................47
Parents’ Fund Fall Calling Program.........................................................................48
Making the Call........................................................................................................49
Parent Hosted Events..............................................................................................50
Parents’ Fund Website Information..........................................................................51
Colgate University’s fiscal year June 1 – May 31 45