Outstanding Service Award

DAVID A. CASTLE ’87, J.D., FORMER TRUSTEE

Honors up to five members of the Skidmore community who have demonstrated outstanding service to the College for at least 10 years as an alumna/alumnus, trustee, faculty member, administrator, staff member, parent or friend. Alumni recipients must be members of a celebrating reunion class.

David Castle has always had a keen eye for a good investment. He made his first substantive gift to Skidmore as a senior, motivated by his belief that a more balanced ratio of male and female students would enhance the institution. He was right on that score.

The Skidmore government major earned a Juris Doctor from the Cornell Law School and later embarked on a career in finance. He currently holds various leadership roles in his family’s investment companies, including president of Branford Castle Inc. David is also a prolific Skidmore volunteer.

For over two decades, he has lent his time, talent, and professional expertise to help steer Skidmore through some of its most critical decisions. A member of the President’s Advisory Council (formerly Skidmore’s Council of 100) since its inception, he is among a select group of high-level alumni professionals who advise the president on core strategic issues.

He deepened his involvement as a member of the Board of Trustees from 2010 to 2014, when he served as vice chair of the Audit Committee and a key member of the Advancement and Communications, Budget and Finance, Strategic Planning, and Student Life committees.

A stalwart and energetic advocate for Skidmore’s alumni community, David served a concurrent term on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. As alumnus trustee, he was an essential voice for the alumni community and enhanced communication and collaboration between these two vital advisory bodies.

His deep, comprehensive understanding of Skidmore helped shape its extraordinary growth over the last 20 years. During this period, the College experienced a dramatic increase in applications, growing national recognition, and the sustainable expansion of its campus. Most notable is the Center for Integrated Sciences, the largest capital project in Skidmore history. “It was no small task to keep the project on track during the introduction of a new president and a global pandemic,” he adds.

Today, David continues his service on the President’s Advisory Council and enjoys chatting with students interested in finance careers.

David sees his generous support of Skidmore as “an investment” in its future, one that he hopes will continue strengthening the College’s science programs and the diversity of its student body.

He especially enjoys speaking with students and pointing out how the path from Skidmore can lead to successful careers in finance. It has also been fulfilling to share my perspective — as an alum and a business person — as a member of the Alumni Association Board and Board of Trustees.”

A mainstay at alumni social and professional events around the country, David has contributed to innumerable Presidents Society gatherings, PAC webinars, and campaign conference calls. He has remained especially close to his Scribner Village apartment mates. “The breadth of our experiences together as young adults continues to be important to me,” he reflects.

Skidmore is not the only beneficiary of his generosity. A past board member and officer of the Caedmon School in New York City, David is actively involved in fundraising for Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The breadth of our experiences together as young adults continues to be important to me.

— David A. Castle ’87