7 minute read
Lasting Legacies
A lot can happen in the span of seven years, and President Casamento proved that in spades with numerous projects and innovations. In the pages that follow are a few highlights from throughout her tenure.
Brvenik Center for Business Education dedicated
Located on the first floor of the historic Clark City Center in the heart of Utica’s financial District, the Brvenik Center for Business Education in downtown Utica was officially dedicated in a ribboncutting ceremony on Thursday, October 20, 2016. The state-ofthe-art facility for Utica’s business programs was named in honor of Robert Brvenik ’77, former Chair of Utica’s Board of Trustees and major benefactor of the University.
Making higher education more affordable
Utica was one of the first institutions in the country to reset its undergraduate tuition in Fall 2016, lowering the cost by some 42%, leading to an almost immediate increase in enrollment and retention. In addition, the reset, set in motion by her predecessor and overseen by President Casamento, made the entire admissions process more transparent and easier to navigate.
First woman to serve as President in Utica history
Laura Casamento became the ninth president and fourteenth chief executive officer of Utica University on August 1, 2016. She is the second president selected by the independent Board of Trustees and the first woman to serve as president in the 75-year history of the University.
Honored as a NYS Woman of Distinction
On May 9, 2018 State Senator Joseph Griffo honored President Laura Casamento in Albany as a 2017 New York State Woman of Distinction. Dr. Casamento was nominated by Senator Griffo because of her longtime commitment to making higher education accessible and affordable.
“Dr. Casamento’s passion for progress is defined by a lasting bond to her community and a lifetime of hard work,” Senator Griffo said, “and this history of achievement in furthering educational opportunity for future generations is worthy of recognition.”
Pioneer Village offers new apartment-style housing
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, September 13, 2019 celebrated the opening of Pioneer Village. The $14 million-dollar project, a partnership between the Municipal Housing Authority, BBL Construction Services LLC and Utica University, was built by Albany-based BBL, with several Utica Construction Management grads and students assuming leadership roles in the project.
“This partnership has allowed Utica to offer an affordable, premium-level housing option that keeps more students on campus, where they can live and learn alongside their peers as part of the growing campus community,” President Casamento said at the event.
Largest bequest in institutional history
On October 16, 2019, President Laura Casamento announced that the institution had received the largest bequest as well as the largest single cash gift in its history - $2.35 million from the Lotis B. Howland trust.
The gift supported several important initiatives, including funding for the expansion of the Science Center and the new Inter-Cultural and Student Organization Center, as well as a series of initiatives aimed at student persistence and on-time graduation, technology upgrades to more than 40 classrooms, and additional safety improvements on campus.
Students give Utica high marks for handling of pandemic
In 2020, Utica received top marks for keeping its students safe and healthy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a national survey among higher education institutions.
An overwhelming majority of Utica students (89%) who completed the survey said they believed the institution kept them safe and healthy. That’s in comparison to 70% of respondents from all the institutions that participated in the study.
Students’ highest level of satisfaction had to do with Utica’s efforts and ability to hold in-person classes on campus throughout the fall semester thanks to numerous mitigation and prevention efforts, including aggressive weekly COVID testing of all students, faculty, and staff.
Largest endowment helps fund Institute for Study of Integrative Health
President Laura Casamento announced October 27, 2020 that the institution would establish The Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare (ISIH), made possible through an anonymous multi-year gift commitment totaling $2.8 million. The gift represents one of the largest charitable gifts in the institution’s history, and the largest single endowment gift since its founding.
The multi-disciplinary institute promotes advanced learning and research in the emerging field of integrative healthcare, bringing together a broad range of practices in support of patient health and well-being.
Monument created to honor veterans
Constructed by the Student Veterans Association and the Student Contractors Association with funding by some donations, Utica University’s new Veterans Memorial includes a granite and bronze monument, 35-foot flagpole, and sidewalk located in front of Strebel Student Center. President Casamento attended the November 8, 2019 dedication ceremony, which featured a keynote address by Major General (ret.) Peter Lennon, recipient of the Bronze Star and a native of Central New York.
Endowed Professorship in Cybersecurity established
With funding provided by Fredericka “Fritzie” Paine, the University established the Karl Zimpel ’75 Endowed Professorship in Cybersecurity in March 2021. It is the second endowed professorship in Utica’s history; the first was the Harold T. Clark Jr. ’65 Professorship, established in 2005.
Largest endowed scholarship in institutional history, Wilcox Center opens
On September 8, 2021, President Casamento announced the largest endowed scholarship in Utica’s history, made possible with a founding gift of $2 million from the estate of Francis A. Wilcox. The announcement was made at the formal dedication of the recently-completed Francis A. Wilcox Intercultural and Student Organization Center.
The Francis A. Wilcox Fellowships provide scholarships of $5,000 annually for 20 students: 10 traditional undergraduate students matriculating directly from high school, six returning or resuming undergraduate studies, and four graduate students. After one year of vesting, the scholarships will be administered by the Office of Financial Aid.
Utica College becomes Utica University
President Laura Casamento announces on February 17, 2022 that the New York State Board of Regents has approved and endorsed the college’s petition to elevate to university status, effective immediately.
“This day is not just about a name change. It represents the culmination of a decades-long commitment to strategic growth, academic excellence through innovative programs and curricula, and an unwavering belief in providing incredible, life-changing opportunities to all students through higher education,” said Casamento.
State-of-the-art Science Building, Athletic Track open to enhance student experience
The student experience at Utica gets even better! At a time when many put construction on hold amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Utica moved full steam ahead on multiple major construction and renovation projects.
On October 21, 2021 dual ribbon cuttings were held to celebrate the newly constructed Pioneer Track and Field Complex and the new Science Center!
Utica University Nexus Center a unique opportunity for students
On June 24, 2022, President Laura Casamento and Mohawk Valley Gardens CEO Rob Esche announced the University partnership with the Nexus Center, providing a highly innovative, first-of-its kind opportunity for students in the sports management program to gain real, professional experience.
The Nexus Center allows students to have a hands-on, interactive learning experience to help put their foot in the door when searching for employment upon graduation.
“We love when local students can find an opportunity to be educated and find meaningful careers here, raise their families here - that’s what it’s all about. It’s about growing our region. We need young people to stay here; that has been a part of the resurgence of Utica,” said Casamento.
Game on! State-of-theart facility welcomes ESports program
Utica University unveils the highly anticipated Carbone Family Esports Auditorium in October 2022, a stateof-the-art facility, located in Bull Hall - home to the new Utica University Esports Program. Esports is rapidly growing among colleges and universities across North America, and this arena already allows Utica students to compete against some of the top Esports teams in the nation.
Honoring her contributions
On May 10, 2023 Utica University dedicates the Laura M. Casamento Track and Field Complex to honor the contributions of retiring President Casamento. The complex features a brandnew track, bleachers, and a multipurpose turf field.
