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College Advancement Update

David Davin

September 15, 2025

Dear SUNY Potsdam Alumni,

As the fall semester settles in, I’m excited to share the latest from SUNY Potsdam:

Record Fundraising
  • $5.9 million in 2024–25 new gifts and commitments, a 10% increase from ‘23-24.
     
  • Endowment grew 15% to $62.9 million, generating over $2.2 million for students and programs.

These investments are already making an impact across campus—most notably through the Student Success Initiative, which strengthens recruitment, retention, and graduation. We are deeply grateful that our community of donors is supporting our students and campus at unprecedented levels.

Kathryn and Al Davino (Hon. ’10) walk with a group of Crane School of Music students—recipients of the Cassie Davino Memorial Scholarship—during a recent visit to SUNY Potsdam. Established in honor of their daughter, the scholarship provides financial support for voice majors at Crane every year.
Enrollment & Student Success
  • First-year undergraduate enrollment up 3.8%; graduate enrollment up 7.8%.
  • Retention improved to 82.1% for first-to-second year students.
  • New Student Success Initiative – which is 100% donor and foundation-funded – strengthens the First-Year Experience, Bridges program, and advising.
Athletics
  • Men’s Soccer opened 2–0, including a thrilling 88th-minute win over Mount Saint Mary College.
  • Men’s Hockey welcomes interim head coach Mike Grace, a SUNYAC champion, All-American, and seasoned coach.
  • Maxcy Hall Renovations – Work is proceeding on schedule, with the main concourse slated to be completed by November 2025, with the fieldhouse following in the next year. The upgrades include a renovated second-floor, new bleachers, a four-sided LED scoreboard, among other updates designed to enhance student-athlete and spectator experience, positioning Maxcy Hall for the future.
     
Faculty, staff, and returning students came together to cheer on the Class of 2029 during the New Student Funnel — guiding them into orientation through the quad under the iconic Satterlee Hall clocktower.
Campus Life

Welcome Weekend set the tone with:

  • Move-in Day—faculty, staff, and upperclassmen greeting new Bears.
  • First-Year Funnel—students cheered through Minerva Plaza, receiving challenge coins.
  • Carnival in Maxcy Hall—games, skating, swimming, food, and tie-dye.
Reunion

Thank you to everyone who joined Reunion 2025! Save the date for Reunion 2026: July 9–12, which will once again be held jointly with Clarkson University, as they have committed to returning to this date for 2026. If your group or team is celebrating a milestone, let us know by December 1 at alumni@potsdam.edu.

Your generosity, spirit, and Bear pride are fueling our progress. Thank you for helping us build SUNY Potsdam’s future.

With gratitude,
David Davin
Vice President for College Advancement
SUNY Potsdam