College Advances

A Sister’s Gift

Fredericka Paine helps UC establish endowed professorship in cybersecurity.

With funding provided by Fredericka “Fritzie” Paine, the College has established the Karl Zimpel ’75 Endowed Professorship in Cybersecurity. This is the second endowed professorship in Utica College’s history; the first was the Harold T. Clark Jr. ’65 Professorship, established in 2005. Paine made this gift in honor of her late brother, Karl Zimpel, a 1975 graduate of Utica College and one of the College’s first computer science students. In choosing the cybersecurity program, Paine hopes to bolster the College’s efforts to prepare graduates to address growing national security threats at home and abroad. Paine, a retired clinical psychologist, is a native of Canajoharie, New York. An award-winning photographer and world traveler, Paine has spent much of her adult life in Italy, where her photography has earned widespread acclaim. “An endowed professorship, a position permanently supported by revenue from an endowment fund, is one of the highest and most prestigious honors a college can award a faculty member,” said Utica College President Laura Casamento. “Ms. Paine’s vision and generosity will take Utica College to a new level in its ability to support academic excellence in the cybersecurity program. This award provides a significant opportunity to recognize the depth and breadth of academic talent among our faculty, and to support professors as they go afield in their research and scholarly activity.” For Paine, the gift is a way to cement her brother’s legacy in the College’s history. “I want the brother I loved to be remembered and honored for the man which he was at his core,” said Paine. “It is my hope that this endowment will carry out and sustain a legacy that would bring pride to my brother and his family.” The College will honor Paine in a ceremony this fall.

“I want the brother I loved to be remembered and honored for the man which he was at his core.”

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Utica College Achieves Two Meaningful Philanthropy Milestones

The College’s endowment recently surpassed the $35 million mark for the first time in UC’s history. In the last year, the College received approximately $2.5 million in new endowment gifts. Those donations, in addition to favorable market conditions, have resulted in a nearly $10 million growth. The endowment represents an aggregation of invested assets from which the institution pulls annual income used to support UC’s educational mission, provide critically important scholarship aid, and fund strategic initiatives that enable institutional growth. “Gifts to the endowment are transformative, as they ensure that financial resources will be available to the College in perpetuity,” says Vice President for Advancement George Nehme. “The recent growth is a meaningful sign of Utica College’s maturity as an institution, and a reflection of the profound generosity of our alumni and friends.” Another important milestone: As of April 2021, the College has raised more than $6 million in private philanthropy this year, exceeding its total cash-in goal of $5.5 million. The Office of Advancement projects the College will eclipse last year’s total, which was a record for private gifts. Says Nehme, “Our donors understand the importance of philanthropy and its incredible impact on student success.”

Short-Term Help, Long-Term Impact

Support students with a gift to UC’s new Pioneer Persistence Fund For many Utica College students, unforeseen expenses can make the difference between earning a degree and permanently withdrawing. The Utica College Pioneer Persistence Fund (PPF) was created to provide one-time financial assistance to students experiencing unforeseen financial hardships, such as family emergencies, food insecurities, or unanticipated educational costs (books, lab supplies, appropriate attire or travel/accommodations for a job interview, etc.) Contributions to the PPF help support vulnerable Pioneers when they need it most—and help them continue on their path to graduation. Learn more at utica.edu/giving/ways-support-UC

Connecting Pioneers Close to Home

Utica College’s Regional Alumni Networks help Pioneers stay connected to their alma mater—and one another. Regional Alumni Network members can: • Host or help plan events, such as happy hours, educational panels, etc. • Attend an admissions event on behalf of UC • Coordinate community service projects • Help plan reunions • Share industry insight with students and recent graduates. Membership is free and open to all UC alumni in the following regions. Learn more and join on Facebook:

Washington, D.C.: facebook.com/groups/UCalumniWashingtonDC Metro NYC: facebook.com/groups/UCalumniNYC Florida: facebook.com/groups/UCalumniFlorida

Not in your area yet? We may be coming soon! Learn more ways to connect at utica.edu/alumni

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