Campaign Stories

Chet and Karen Opalka pose with actor Stephen Lang and NYSWI Director Paul Grondahl

Championing the Arts, Fostering Local Pride

For decades, Chet and Karen Opalka have championed the underappreciated upstate area as a world-class cultural destination and used their philanthropy to support an array of local arts and cultural organizations.

Kris and Larry Hazzard

Campus Living, 'Iron Mike' and the Hazzards of Service

Kris Hazzard '86 and spouse Larry Hazzard '87 have established the Kristine and Lawrence Hazzard Community and Public Service Program Scholarship at UAlbany.

UAlbany student reviews research in a lab.

Fostering Future Scientists through Endowments

RNA therapeutics and dark matter research may seem worlds apart on the science spectrum. Now UAlbany students in both fields are benefiting from generous gifts by alumni committed to fostering future generations of scientists.

Bonnie Taylor and Daniel Wulff sit near the entry fountain on UAlbany's uptown campus

A Time to Give

An emeritus professor and his wife pledge $5 million to aid UAlbany biological sciences as well as present and future collegians.

Kathleen Dennis on a horse and Edelgard Wulfert poses for a photo

Flexibility for the Future

Two gifts totaling over $1 million dollars will help ensure student success at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) far into the future, thanks to a loyal alum and the college’s former dean.

Patricia and Henry Binzer

A Million Dollar Commitment

Steadfast supporters of the School of Social Welfare, a husband and wife team up to secure the School's future.

William Alex Pridemore

50 Years and Going Strong

William Alex Pridemore, dean of the School of Criminal Justice (SCJ), has made a $100,000 planned gift to increase the SJC’s Dean’s Excellence Fund. Dean Pridemore’s gift is the fourth gift of $100,000 or more SCJ has received this year in conjunction with the school’s 50th anniversary.

Adell Smith

Helping Others to “Dream Bigger”

Adell Y. Smith often thinks about where life might have taken her had she “dreamed bigger” as a teenager. To help others “dream bigger,” she’s established an endowment at UAlbany’s College of Integrated Health Sciences (CIHS).

Men's Lacrosse player on the field

New Gifts Support Lacrosse Program

Donations push the number of endowed scholarships for the Men’s Lacrosse program to eight.

Milne Hall on UAlbany's downtown campus

Enduring Gifts for Rockefeller College

Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy has received two seven-figure gifts totaling almost $3.5 million to attract and support outstanding graduate students.

Peter Bulger at 2013 Homecoming Game

Dedication and Support

Five years ago, Peter Bulger '77 made a $50,000 gift to establish The Family of Peter Bulger Scholarship, which supports deserving scholar-athletes. Now Bulger has made a new $500,000 planned gift to support the fund.

A $50,000 check for the McGovern Scholarship presented at the Big Purple Growl

Lasting Legacy

The University at Albany Foundation’s largest undergraduate endowed scholarship is now worth over $1 million.

Polly Weidenkopf stands in front of UAlbany alumni veteran wall and American flag

Scholarships for Veterans

Military veterans have dedicated their lives to aiding and protecting others. Thanks to a $500,000 gift to the University at Albany from a nonprofit established by an alum, a new scholarship program will assist veterans as they return from deployment.