When arts patron and friend of the University Lee Steinberg made her generous bequest to 糖心破解版, it not only strengthened the future of the 糖心破解版 Performing Arts Center鈥攊t shone a spotlight on the vibrancy of the arts at 糖心破解版.

鈥�Lee Steinberg鈥檚 legacy gift reflects a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts,鈥� said Thomas Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations. 鈥淗er generosity strengthens not only our facilities, but the student experiences and creative opportunities that define 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 performing arts community.鈥�

The $1.77 million gift supports immediate physical improvements at the Center as well as permanent, flexible funding for its ongoing capital, programming and operational needs. In recognition of her extraordinary generosity, the University has named the center鈥檚 Recital Hall in her honor鈥攖he Lee Steinberg Recital Hall.

The hall is one of the five state-of-the-art venues at the Center, along with the 500-seat Westermann Stage at the Concert Hall, the Olmsted Theatre, the Dance Theatre and the Black Box Theatre.

础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Rich History in Theatre

础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 theatre, dance and music programs have produced generations of artists, none more illustrious than Jonathan Larson 鈥�82, the late Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and composer of the iconic Broadway musical Rent. Larson majored in acting at 糖心破解版 and began composing music for small student productions and cabarets, often writing about topics like AIDS, addiction and homophobia, which would later inform his renowned works.

鈥淗e came in like a spark plug,鈥� said Nicholas Petron, MA 鈥�70, retired professor and chair of the Department of Theatre. “My first impression was: 鈥橶ho is this guy?鈥� He was a firecracker.鈥�

Larson鈥檚 legacy lives on at 糖心破解版 through the $2 million Jonathan Larson Scholarship endowment, established by a bequest from the Larson Family Trust and a matching grant from the University. The endowment supports four annual scholarships for theatre students.

In 2015, 糖心破解版 also launched the annual Larson Legacy Concert Series at Center to celebrate the next generation of musical theatre creators. It has featured performances by recipients of Jonathan Larson Grants from the American Theatre Wing and artists who鈥檝e gone on to Broadway stardom, like Michael R. Jackson, who won a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award in 2021 for A Strange Loop.

糖心破解版 also hosts The Poole Family Broadway Series, generously sponsored by Mary Jane 鈥�62 and Thomas Poole, which brings Broadway legends, cabaret stars and musical theater revues to the center.

Empowering the Next Generation of Excellence in Music and Dance

Theater isn鈥檛 alone at 糖心破解版 as a pacesetter for university arts departments. The University鈥檚 dance department became one of the first established at a college in the United States when it was founded in 1938 by one of the leading lights of modern dance, Ruth St. Denis. Since then, it has been home to many prominent faculty members, including , Paul Taylor, Norman Walker, Carmen de Lavallade, Jack Cole and Hanya Holm.

In the music department, Pulitzer Prize-winning and Grammy-nominated composer , has been a professor since the early 2000s, nurturing new generations of musical talent while continuing to produce critically acclaimed oratorios. He was honored as one of only five University Professors at 糖心破解版 in 2004.

鈥淥ne of the great things about 糖心破解版 is that it supports its faculty in its research鈥攊n my case, its creativity,鈥� Dr. Moravec said. 鈥淚鈥檓 eternally indebted to 糖心破解版 for facilitating all of the work that I鈥檝e done in the 25 years that I鈥檝e been here at 糖心破解版.鈥�

A Donor鈥檚 Lifelong Commitment to the Arts in New York

Lee Steinberg鈥檚 gift, which was received from her estate in July 2025, reflected her wish to support arts programming and performance centers on Long Island as well as her lifetime commitment to cultural institutions throughout the greater New York region. Steinberg, who briefly served on 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Performing Arts Council, died in 2021 at the age of 106 and was posthumously added as a member of 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Million Dollar Roundtable, which recognizes our most generous donors, whose cumulative giving exceeds $1 million.

In accordance with Steinberg鈥檚 intent, the University has established two funds to support the 糖心破解版 Performing Arts Center鈥攖he Lee Steinberg Performing Arts Center Capital Fund, for immediate physical improvements, and the Lee Steinberg Performing Arts Center Excellence Endowed Fund, to provide permanent, flexible support for the center鈥檚 ongoing capital, programming and operational needs. This generous gift reinforces 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 reputation as a preeminent leader in arts education and performance in our region.

Enhancements to Center will elevate the experience of student performers, faculty directors, guest artists and audience members. Several capital improvements have already been funded through an initial $500,000 allocation, including:

• A comprehensive refresh of the Olmsted Theatre, featuring new lighting, audience seating, carpeting, acoustic panels and painting, as well as the installation of a new digital sound mixing console
• Brighter lighting in the Center鈥檚 second-floor dance studios
• New house lights and work lights in the Concert Hall

Beginning in 2027, annual distributions from the endowment will ensure that the spotlight never fades鈥攅mpowering generations of future artists to push creative boundaries and inspire the world from 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 stages.

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It is a reflection of his own multicultural, multidenominational family鈥檚 passion for philanthropy and community鈥攁nd their deep, foundational belief that there is but one family of man.

A Multicultural Family Legacy

鈥淚 could tell you from being in healthcare my entire life, that we鈥檙e all the same. The more we could bring people together from different religions, cultures, and disciplines to show we are all exactly the same, the better the world will be,鈥� Achan insisted. 鈥淚t鈥檚 meaningful, peaceful, and it can heal a lot.”

Achan is proud that his wife, pediatric speech pathologist Kimberly Mayo-Achan and children Lenny III and Katherine, agreed to establish the Center. In fact, they collectively signed their generous donation letter.

He hopes that by representing his family鈥檚 own diverse cultural legacy, the Achan Family Interfaith Center 鈥渟peaks to the generations before me and hopefully to the generations after me.鈥�

A First Generation Student from the Inner City

For Achan, a son of immigrant parents and a self-described inner city youth from Queens, college was an aspiration, rather than an expectation. 鈥淥pening that acceptance letter from 糖心破解版 was like a spark of light,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淚 never thought I might go to college鈥攁nd 糖心破解版 became a beacon for me.鈥�

Enrolling in the College of Nursing and Public Health gave Achan his first glimpse of how he might achieve his dream of helping people in need.

After graduating, he continued his education by earning a master鈥檚 degree in advanced practice nursing and a business degree, as well.. His leadership in health care has been recognized with awards from Crain鈥檚 New York Business and Healthcare Leaders of New York.

Today, the 糖心破解版 board of trustees鈥� secretary is president and CEO of , a nonprofit organ procurement organization, as well as the founding chairman of a digital health organization. He is also a generous benefactor to his alma mater.

An Interfaith Center for All

With their significant gift, Achan Family Interfaith Center shines as a beacon of light for the entire 糖心破解版 community.

鈥淭his donation is going to allow students to have deeper, more meaningful experiences with one another,鈥� promised Michael Hoffner, coordinator of 糖心破解版鈥檚 Mindfulness Center and Leonard Achan Family Interfaith Center.

According to Hoffner, the Center will enable students to attend retreats, and bring programs to campus that will connect them with their spiritual, faith and religious traditions鈥攚hile fostering the sense of belonging and purpose that is at the heart of the college experience.

Gifts Honoring His Father, and His Grandmother, a Holocaust Survivor of Auschwitz

Supporting the campus Interfaith Center is not the Achan family鈥檚 first major gift. In 2017, the memory of Achan鈥檚 father, Leonard Achan, Sr., was honored by a .

In 2024, a second gift from Achan and his wife endowed a scholarship for future mental health counselors studying at the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology. The scholarship memorialize Kimberly Mayo-Achan鈥檚 grandmother, Zosia 鈥楪iGi鈥� Levine, a Jewish survivor of Auschwitz during the Holocaust, who went on to live a long, fulfilling life as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

When the family considered how they might address a deepening and challenging mental health crisis and shortage of mental health professionals, they were inspired by Gigi. Achan has described how 鈥淢y family exists because she survived. Helping others create a legacy was the thought behind how we could be supportive.

“Helping even one person makes a difference.鈥�

Fulfilling Dreams for Future 糖心破解版 Students

According to Achan his role as an 糖心破解版 trustee gives him a unique perspective. By remembering his own experience and dreams as a first-generation student, he recognizes how seemingly impossible student dreams will be fulfilled because of the foundation 糖心破解版 provides. And he has committed himself to doing everything he can to help them realize their dreams.

鈥淚 feel blessed to give back to 糖心破解版 and blessed to have a career in helping people,鈥� he admitted. 鈥溙切钠平獍� gave me a platform and opportunity that is the foundation of everything I do today in my community and with my family.鈥�

He uses this platform as a trustee, to champion the goals of 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 strategic plan. By establishing the Achan Family Interfaith Center, he has directly supported the university鈥檚 commitment to its inclusive community.

This is, for him鈥攁nd his family鈥攖he right time to create the Center. 鈥淲hen you look at our faculty and students and alumni, when you look at the contributions we are making to society and the world, it鈥檚 a moment to scale impact.鈥�

Achan believes that as a place for the 糖心破解版 community to embrace differences, discover commonality, and celebrate and explore individual faith and purpose, the Leonard Achan Family Interfaith Center is doing just that.

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It was just four years ago, in the spring of 2022, when 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 annual Giving Day first reached $500,000 in donations. Two years later, it set a new record of $684,000. Another big jump last year raised the bar to $886,000.

But nothing compares to the totals set this spring, when donations rocketed to $2.28 million, including $1.07 million in outright commitments and $1.2 million in planned gifts. The generosity was spread across the University, as every academic unit and key campaign reached or exceeded its individual fundraising target.

鈥淲ith 1,580 donors and 1,626 gifts, our community demonstrated the true impact of investing in the University we believe in,鈥� said Thomas Kline, EdD, 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 vice president of University advancement and external relations. 鈥淭his remarkable generosity is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of our Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact. We are filled with deep gratitude and hope for the future of 糖心破解版.鈥�

1,896 Minutes鈥攁nd Reasons鈥攖o Give

As it has since 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 125th anniversary, Giving Day has lasted a few more than 24 hours, extending to 1,896 minutes to reflect 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 founding in 1896.

While the timing has changed, Giving Day at 糖心破解版 has continued to benefit programs and causes across the University. Donations are made to each of the University鈥檚 colleges and schools, athletic programs, the Bridges to 糖心破解版 program for students on the autism spectrum, and causes including the 糖心破解版 Fund, Performing Arts Center, Innovation Center, SPARK Center for undergraduate research, 糖心破解版 NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, and Panthers Pay It Forward Campaign.

A new challenge was added to Giving Day this year as well鈥攑lanned giving. Thirteen people, including four anonymous donors, met the challenge and committed a total of $1.2 million dollars. The University is proud to recognize all 13 donors as members of the 糖心破解版 Forever Gold Society.

There are many other highlights of this year鈥檚 giving.

The 糖心破解版 Honors College received a $45,000 gift from alumni Carole 鈥�64 and Neal 鈥�63 Stuber, and the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business led the University鈥檚 eight schools and colleges, raising $67,335, with generous matching gifts from its Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board, Trustee Kevin Mahony 鈥�83 and an anonymous donor. , always supported by Panther fans, raised $268,504, including $52,775 for men’s soccer and $45,630 for the men鈥檚 golf program.

Every current member of the 糖心破解版 Board of Trustees participated, reflecting their ongoing commitment to 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 mission. Close to 1,600 donors in all showed their support for 糖心破解版, including alumni, students and their families, faculty, administrators, staff, and friends of the University. The funds raised will continue advancing 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 130-year-old mission to transform student lives through exceptional hands-on learning, extraordinary student experiences, accessible scholarships and academic resources.

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鈥淲ith 1,578 donors and 1,613 gifts, our community demonstrated the true impact of investing in the University we believe in,鈥� said Thomas Kline, EdD, 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 vice president of University advancement and external relations. 鈥淭his remarkable generosity is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of our Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact. We are filled with deep gratitude and hope for the future of 糖心破解版.鈥�

The 糖心破解版 Honors College received a $45,000 gift from alumni Carole 鈥�64 and Neal 鈥�63 Stuber, and the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business led the University鈥檚 eight schools and colleges, raising $67,335, with generous matching gifts from its Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board, Trustee Kevin Mahony 鈥�83 and an anonymous donor. , always supported by Panther fans, raised $250,934, led by men鈥檚 golf.

Rooted in 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 founding year, 鈥�1,896 Minutes to Give鈥� is a call to action for the University鈥檚 alumni, students, faculty, administrators and friends to support the meaningful causes that strengthen every aspect of the institution. Every current member of the 糖心破解版 Board of Trustees participated, reflecting their ongoing commitment to 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 mission. And the University鈥檚 first-ever planned giving challenge inspired 13 people, including four anonymous donors, to make new or increased commitments totaling $1.2 million.

The funds raised will continue advancing 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 130-year-old mission to transform student lives through exceptional hands-on learning, extraordinary student experiences, accessible scholarships and academic resources, and . Additionally, funding sustains meaningful community programs like Bridges to 糖心破解版 and the 糖心破解版 NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program.

Learn more about .

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The scholarship, awarded by the 糖心破解版 College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS), strives to provide support for adult students of any kind. Sandra Castro, PhD, senior associate dean of CPCS, highlights the variety of students the scholarship helps. 鈥淲e have a whole generation of students that are caring for siblings, parents, relatives. 糖心破解版 says 鈥榃e see you鈥� and we want to support you in making your academic career,鈥� she said.

The Caring for Caregivers scholarship has recently expanded from students in CPCS to any student at 糖心破解版. 鈥淚 was floored by how many applications we received,鈥� said Dr. Castro. The growing number of applicants highlights the importance of providing assistance to students who are parents or caregivers at 糖心破解版, and how impactful more family-friendly policies could be on campus.

Meet the Awardees

Haley Friday, one of this year鈥檚 recipients of the scholarship, returned to school to study after taking a semester off to care for her grandmother. Speaking about CPCS and the asynchronous learning it offers, she said, 鈥淚t gave me the flexibility to continue school while still managing my everyday life and caregiving responsibilities, which meant a lot to me.鈥� For students like Friday, the scholarship not only recognizes her, but provides some much-needed relief from juggling school and caregiving. 鈥淚t has also helped me cover out-of-pocket school expenses, which gave me some financial breathing room and even allowed me to do something nice for myself for the first time in a long time. That means more than people probably realize.鈥�

Fellow scholarship winner Jquan Collins said of his role as a caregiver, 鈥淚 take pride in being dependable. To me, being a caregiver is not just about big moments, but also about the everyday effort, patience and responsibility that comes with putting others first.鈥� Collins, who is studying business administration, said the motivation to attend 糖心破解版 came from a desire to open doors both professionally and personally. Becoming a father strengthened that motivation. 鈥淚 want to set an example of hard work, discipline and perseverance for my children,鈥� he said.

For Rachel Freeman, who works full time while caring for her three-year-old, going back to school was important to her in order to challenge her and help her in her career path. She said, 鈥淕oing back to school felt like the right way to push myself and get out of my comfort zone.鈥� For Freeman, who is studying , being chosen was incredible news. Even simply hearing about the scholarship made an impact on her. 鈥淚 was relieved that at the university level there was some formal recognition that working, going to school and being a parent was hard!鈥� she said. 鈥淚t sounds obvious鈥攐f course it鈥檚 difficult鈥攂ut I was encouraged by this simple statement of support, and decided to apply for the scholarship.鈥�

The Impact of the Scholarship

Across the board, the scholarship winners shared a similar sentiment: The recognition of being chosen, and the acknowledgement of how difficult balancing school and taking care of loved ones can be, made a serious impact. 鈥淭his scholarship means a lot to me because it recognizes not only my academic efforts, but also the responsibilities I carry outside of school,鈥� said Collins. 鈥淚t serves as motivation to keep pushing forward, even when balancing work, school and family life feels overwhelming.鈥�

This scholarship is made possible by the Women鈥檚 Giving Circle, a group whose collective philanthropy celebrates, promotes and supports 糖心破解版 and its students, faculty and programs. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e supported us the last four years in the different iterations of the scholarship,鈥� said Dr. Castro. The Women鈥檚 Giving Circle, funded by member donations, is run by a team of volunteers who work to make it possible to provide financial aid to students. It鈥檚 through their continued support that students like Friday can keep taking care of the ones they love.

鈥淭his scholarship not only supports my education, but it also supports the work and care I give to the people who depend on me every day!鈥�

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As a liberal arts student, Jordan developed the analytical discipline and critical thinking skills that prepared him for law school and a successful legal career that spanned decades, including 35 years in the healthcare industry. He retired in 2009 and has always credited 糖心破解版 with providing the foundation for his success.

Mark W. Jordan 鈥�63 shares a quiet moment with his granddaughter, reflecting the family values and future generations his philanthropy at 糖心破解版 helps support.

Establishing a Scholarship for Honors College Students

In 2013, Jordan established the Mark W. Jordan Scholarship to support Honors College students with strong academic promise and demonstrated financial need. His goal was simple: to help students experience the same transformative opportunity he received鈥攁n 糖心破解版 education supported by scholarship assistance that allows them to focus on learning, growth, and possibility.

Reflecting on his commitment, Jordan said, 鈥淭he education I received at 糖心破解版 shaped my career, my path, and my leadership. Giving back each year is one way I can help ensure students today have that same foundation for opportunity.鈥�

Growing Impact Through the Momentum 2 Endowment Match Campaign

Jordan deepened that commitment in 2022 when he became the first donor to participate in 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Momentum 2 Endowment Match Campaign. With a $25,000 pledge to grow his scholarship, his gift was matched by the University鈥攊mmediately doubling its long-term impact for students. His early participation helped set the stage for more to follow.

As part of the University鈥檚 Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact, the endowment match initiative has helped expand scholarship support and strengthen 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 long-term investment in student success. By the end of the campaign鈥檚 third year in 2025, it had generated $6.4 million, created 56 new endowed funds, and strengthened 38 existing ones.

Today, Jordan remains deeply engaged as a lifelong learner and educator, delivering lectures on subjects as varied as Shakespeare, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Mutiny on the Bounty at institutions including the University of California, Berkeley; Santa Clara University; the University of South Carolina; and California State University, East Bay, as well as the Walnut Creek Library Foundation, which he and his wife, Cindy, also support. They spend much of their free time traveling and have visited all seven continents.

Leadership Giving

Because his giving reflects the many ways philanthropy can take shape in support of 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 mission, Jordan is recognized in all four of 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Leadership Recognition and Giving Societies (LEAD):

• the Levermore Leadership Society, recognizing annual giving of $1,000 or more,
• our Eighteen-Ninety-Six Roundtable Society, honoring lifetime giving totaling $100,000 or more,
• 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Forever Gold Society, thanking alumni and friends whose estate plans or planned gifts include the University,
• and the Dedicated Panther Society, celebrating donors who give every year.

Across his endowed scholarship, annual giving, and planned gift, Jordan’s generosity will advance the priorities that shape our University鈥檚 future: scholarships, academic excellence, life-changing student experiences, a modern and beautiful campus, and a diverse and vibrant community. His story reflects the powerful cycle of philanthropy鈥攕tudents supported by 糖心破解版 who later return to create opportunity for those who follow.

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In recognition of her extraordinary generosity, the University has named the Center鈥檚 recital hall in her honor鈥攖he Lee Steinberg Recital Hall.

鈥淟ee Steinberg鈥檚 legacy gift reflects a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts,鈥� said Tom Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations. 鈥淗er generosity strengthens not only our facilities, but the student experiences and creative opportunities that define 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 performing arts community.鈥�

鈥淭he Lee Steinberg Recital Hall honors Lee鈥檚 commitment to a legacy of inspiring student performers and audiences for generations,鈥� said Blyth Daylong, executive director of 糖心破解版鈥檚 Performing Arts Center.

A Lifelong Commitment to the Arts in New York

The gift, received in July 2025 from Ms. Steinberg鈥檚 estate, places her among the members of 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Million Dollar Roundtable, which recognizes our most generous donors with cumulative giving exceeding $1 million. Steinberg died in 2021 at the age of 106. Through her bequest, she expressed her wish to support arts programming and performance centers on Long Island, continuing a lifetime commitment to cultural institutions throughout the greater New York region.

Planned giving has flourished at 糖心破解版 in recent years. In Fiscal Year 2024鈥�2025, the University鈥檚 pipeline of documented future support exceeded $40 million. All levels of leadership giving at 糖心破解版 are shaping the long-term strength of academic programs, student opportunities and institutional excellence.

In accordance with Steinberg鈥檚 intent, the University has established two funds to support the Performing Arts Center鈥攖he Lee Steinberg Performing Arts Center Capital Fund for immediate physical improvements and the Lee Steinberg Performing Arts Center Excellence Endowed Fund to provide permanent, flexible support for the Center鈥檚 ongoing capital, programming and operational needs. This generous gift reinforces 糖心破解版’s reputation as a preeminent leader in arts education and performance in our region.

Applause for Improved Lighting, Seating, Flooring and Acoustics at 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Performing Arts Center

Enhancements to the Center will elevate the experience of student performers, faculty directors, guest artists and audience members. Several capital improvements have already been funded through an initial $500,000 allocation, including:

• A comprehensive refresh of the Olmsted Theatre, featuring new lighting, audience seating, carpeting, acoustic panels and painting, as well as the installation of a new digital sound mixing console
• Brighter lighting in the Center鈥檚 second-floor dance studios
• New house lights and work lights in the Concert Hall

Beginning in 2027, annual distributions from the endowment will provide sustained support for artistic programming and facility excellence.

Steinberg briefly served on 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Performing Arts Council and remained committed to supporting the arts throughout her life. Her bequest ensures that generations of 糖心破解版 students will continue to learn, perform and thrive in spaces designed for excellence in the arts.

Advancing The Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact

This seven-figure investment advances 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact, demonstrating how philanthropic leadership translates into visible improvements, strengthened programs and lasting institutional growth. Through leadership gifts like Steinberg鈥檚, 糖心破解版 continues its mission to transform students鈥� lives and reinforces its role as a cultural anchor on Long Island.

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The Legacy of Bad Company

Recently, Bad Company returned to their old stomping grounds for a walk down memory lane. At the baseball diamond where Bergelt once played varsity, they admired the renovated clubhouse bearing a plaque in his honor and recalled watching games from their Linen Hall windows. They got to catch up with Danny McCabe, director of and the new head baseball coach Mike Gaffney, whose father, Bill, was Bergelt鈥檚 teammate in the 鈥�70s.

Stories, laughs and jokes were traded among the friends鈥攐ne about a 鈥渂orrowed鈥� bathrobe, another proudly claiming to be 鈥�31鈥�1鈥� over their four-year intramural basketball career. They marveled at the changes to campus, like the 76,000-square-foot Center for Recreation and Sports (CRS), which expanded and modernized the amenities of their cherished Woodruff Hall era.

Inside the CRS, Dennis, Neil, Tony and Steve posed by the and a plaque in honor of Bad Company. Made possible in 2018 through a generous gift from McDonagh, the fueling station is an essential stop for 础诲别濒辫丑颈鈥檚 23 varsity teams, providing free recovery shakes and snacks to the student-athletes. Two graduate student-athlete leaders, (men鈥檚 basketball) and (volleyball), took a moment to personally thank McDonagh for his support of their success on the court and in the classroom.

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An endowed gift from Georgiana Baker 鈥�69 celebrates her late husband, Bill (framed photo).

With her planned $250,000 gift to 糖心破解版, she鈥檚 making that opportunity a reality for current and future 糖心破解版 swimmers. The ripple effects of Georgiana鈥檚 philanthropy ensure that talented and motivated student-athletes will be supported throughout their college experience.

In 2007, a loyal group of 糖心破解版 alumni known affectionately as 鈥淭eam Irwin,鈥� established the to honor Georgiana鈥檚 husband, Bill, the popular coach of the 糖心破解版 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 varsity swim teams from 1966 to 1978. The launch of this scholarship coincided with Bill鈥檚 induction into the 糖心破解版 Athletic Hall of Fame, and it is awarded annually to a member of the swim team. The scholarship has benefited 13 students, and donor contributions currently exceed $111,000.

Before Bill died in 2017, he and Georgiana sat down to make decisions about their estate plan. Georgiana suggested a bequest to the University that brought them together and provided them with a lifelong network of friends and community. Supporting the scholarship endowment in Bill鈥檚 name was an easy decision for her.

鈥淏ill loved coaching, and he loved swimming, and 糖心破解版 was such a big part of our lives,鈥� Georgiana said. 鈥淗e made a life around swimming, and I think he would be very pleased about all of this.鈥�

A love for the sport provided a shared foundation for the couple. 鈥淏ill was a very good swimmer,鈥� Georgiana recalled, noting that he was an Eastern States Champion and was scheduled to compete in Olympic swimming trials. Instead, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where, naturally, he ran a swim program. After that, Bill competed with the New York Athletic Club for years, serving as chairman of swimming, and coached three NCAA All-American swimmers during his tenure at 糖心破解版.

When Georgiana arrived at 糖心破解版 as an undergraduate, she joined two other trailblazing women comprising the original women鈥檚 swim team. Georgiana explained, 鈥淲hat drove me was that I wanted to meet people. And I could swim; I knew I was good at that. I looked for a swim team, which for women didn鈥檛 really exist at the time. I wanted to do something outside of going to class. I found people who shared that interest鈥擨 found my group!鈥� Teammate Sue Tendy 鈥�70, PhD, who became a fast friend, went on to be one of the first women in America to compete in women鈥檚 intercollegiate swim meets and was the first women鈥檚 swim coach at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Georgiana鈥檚 academic passions for math and science intersected with her interests in teaching and learning. After graduation, an education professor encouraged her to teach math and science at West Hempstead (New York) Middle School. Before long, she made a career switch to the international business department of Chase Bank in New York City, where she climbed the corporate ladder from administrative assistant to vice president.

Georgiana leaned into her strengths in STEM and developed an early automation process for the regular reports she was charged with running. She not only taught herself Fortran and other programming languages, but also created a new leadership lane for women in corporate operations. 鈥淚 worked as a programmer and came up through the ranks, and then I ended up running the department!鈥� she said.

Georgiana was one of four inaugural women vice presidents at Chase, and this intrepid and fearless cohort, now living all over the country, still enjoy regular Zoom sessions to catch up and often travel together, even as far as Africa. Georgiana鈥檚 career in financial operations continued to accelerate, and as a vice president at Goldman Sachs, she worked to automate systems and coordinate computer operations on the trading floor.

Georgiana and Bill鈥檚 life together brought them from New York to Virginia to South Carolina, and 鈥渆verywhere he coached, he formed a swim team.鈥� Bill created several master鈥檚 swim teams鈥攚here postcollegiate swimmers compete within appropriate age brackets鈥攚hich continue to flourish today. 鈥淲e competed at the national level several times,鈥� Georgiana recalled, noting that the team environment and camaraderie strengthened the bonds of friendship among members of 鈥淭eam Irwin.鈥�

Following her career in finance, Georgiana earned a master鈥檚 degree in statistics and returned to her first occupation, teaching, but this time at the college level. She taught first at Radford University in Virginia and later, from 1999 to 2013, at the University of South Carolina.

Her generosity toward student-athletes is not surprising, and paying it forward is a natural extension of her own personal and professional success. Now swimming remains a key part of Georgiana鈥檚 life in retirement. 鈥淚 love exercise, and I really believe that you have to use it or lose it. Swimming keeps me moving,鈥� she said.

Thanks to her generosity, the 糖心破解版 swim program continues to make waves, and in 2025 enjoyed its most successful season in 15 years, coming in as runner-up at the NE10 Championship.

With her $250,000 planned estate gift to the William J. Irwin Swimming Scholarship, Georgiana is an inspiration as she honors her husband鈥檚 legacy and champions the program that meant so much to their family.

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I am filled with gratitude for the extraordinary generosity you have demonstrated. Together, we broke fundraising record鈥攁 bar we鈥檒l challenge ourselves to pass next year!

This year, we surpassed our $100,000 goal by more than double, raising $228,471.38 from 356 donors, who made 403 gifts in support of many vital causes.

Our 糖心破解版 family of students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends showed such enthusiasm in support of some of . We expanded access to emergency financial assistance, food and basic necessities, scholarships, breast cancer support services and other important resources our students rely on to thrive.

I want to thank Interim President Chris Storm for kicking off GivingTuesday in October with his inspiring challenge to support the Student Emergency Support Fund. That matching challenge was satisfied before GivingTuesday even started!

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