2023
Philanthropic Investment Report Servire est Vivere (To Serve is to Live)
Table of Contents A Message from the President............................................................................. 2
A Message from the Vice President of Development......................................... 3
Academic Excellence and Innovation Alumnus Establishes International Work Experience Program.......................... 4
Spartan Athletics Donors Fund Indoor Golf Simulator..................................................................... 6
York Country Day School A Culture of Philanthropy Advances the School................................................. 8
Knowledge Park First Tenant to House Research Project Funded through the Manufacturing Innovation PA Program........................................................10
Scholarships Honors Community Represents Cutting Edge of Experiential Learning.........12
Spartan Commons The New Alumni Fountain Stands as a Revitalized Cornerstone of the YCP Campus.......................................................................16
Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation Gift Funds the Creation of New Center.............................................................18
Spartans for Life Make Meaningful Philanthropic Investments..............................................................21
2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 1
A Message from the
President
In my first semester as President of York College of Pennsylvania, it has been my privilege to not only learn about our community but be welcomed into it as well. I have met with faculty and administrators to discuss their ideas for our programs. I have welcomed new and returning cohorts of students and watched them embrace all the challenges and excitement of Move-In Day, the first day of classes, final exams, and everything else they apply themselves to in pursuit of their degrees. Throughout all of this, I have witnessed firsthand the genuine appreciation, compassion, and respect members of the Spartan community employ in their responsibilities and toward each other as representatives of our beloved institution. Our Philanthropic Investment Report highlights some outstanding milestones and the impact of your gifts to the College. It especially notes the achievements made possible by and during the EVOLVE Campaign. Through experiential learning opportunities, innovative athletic resources, and important research initiatives, our mission and vision are being realized every day. We are proud to demonstrate the knowledge and skills our students learn, how our alumni utilize these traits, and how this work collectively and continuously maximizes your philanthropic investments in YCP. I am delighted to share this retrospective overview of the Campaign. Moreover, I look forward to elevating and expanding projects like these as I continue my tenure here. Students are learning and engaging at all points of our campus—from our downtown locations at Marketview Arts and the Gunter-Smith Center for Community Engagement, to our campus cornerstones like the new alumni fountain and in all of our curricular and cocurricular offerings. As donors to this wonderful college, thank you for all that you do to encourage and sustain this growth. It truly resonates with our Spartan community as we continue to realize our servire est vivre (to serve is to live) motto.
Sincerely,
Thomas Burns, Ph.D. President, York College of Pennsylvania
PAGE 2 | 2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT
A Message from the
Vice President of Development
EVOLVE: The Campaign for York College was the most successful fundraising campaign in our 246-year history because you believed in our vision and you invested in our mission. The results of the EVOLVE Campaign will provide our Spartan Community with a foundation on which we can continue to fulfill our mission of preparing our graduates for productive and purposeful lives for years to come. At the launch of the Campaign, we promised that you would see the return on your philanthropic investment. In the 2023 Philanthropic Investment Report, we deliver on that promise. The EVOLVE campaign supported and will continue to support Academic Excellence and Innovation, Spartan Athletics, York Country Day School, the Knowledge Park, Scholarships, the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation, Spartan Commons, and the York College Fund. Within this report, you will see real-life stories of how your support broadened and enriched the lives of our Spartan students today and how your investment will continue to empower the community in the future. I love my job, and there are two components that are especially gratifying: I love seeing our students benefit from the generosity of our Spartan family, and I love saying thank you. Thank you for your investment in York College of Pennsylvania. From experiential learning opportunities in Dubai to a revitalized cornerstone standing proudly in the campus quad, it truly makes a difference. You are appreciated. With appreciation,
Troy M. Miller, CNP, CFRE Vice President, Development
2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 3
Academic Excellence and Innovation
Alumnus Establishes International Work Experience Program
Alumnus Sanjay Parekh ’96/’99 PAGE 4 | 2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT
York College of Pennsylvania students traveled to the United Arab Emirates and worked for four weeks in restaurants and hospitality operations owned by an alumnus through the recently established Dubai International Practical Experience Program.
York College students majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management served alongside an international staff in Dubai. They worked 35 to 40 hours a week, with two days off, and had a supervisor who provided them with daily work assignments and instructions.
The Program was created through the generosity of Sanjay Parekh, who graduated with a business administration degree in 1996 and an MBA in 1999. Parekh currently works with a multinational oil and gas company based out of Dubai. In addition, he owns a number of hospitality-related businesses there.
Many of the costs, including roundtrip airfare to and from Dubai, were paid by Parekh; students were responsible for items such as study abroad fees and international health insurance. Before arriving in Dubai, participants learned about working and living in a Middle Eastern country. At the conclusion of their program, they received a grade for their work experience.
Amount raised during the EVOLVE Campaign: $91,800,765.62 “Dubai is a world-class tourism destination with outstanding hotels, restaurants, and tourism attractions,” said Fred Becker, Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management. “We are excited and grateful for this opportunity to allow our students to gain international practical experience in the Sunset Hospitality Group’s unique up-scale lifestyle restaurants.”
In addition, Parekh wants other international students to experience the benefits of a York College educational experience, and to that end has established The Sanjay Parekh International Scholarship Fund to financially support international students attending YCP. “The main objective,” he explains, “is to allow these students to gain access to a world-class American college education.”
Academic Excellence and Innovation EVOLVE Campaign Results As teacher-researchers, our faculty convey and exemplify the value of experimentation and critical thinking to yield intellectual discovery. This passion for thoughtful inquiry and engaged discovery through teaching-centered research is the cornerstone of York College’s student-focused brand. Your generosity ensures that we are able to continue to evolve experiential learning at YCP in the most beneficial way for our students.
Nearly $29 million Total Raised
599
Total Donors
2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 5
Spartan Athletics
Donors Fund Indoor Golf Simulator In the last four years, the Spartan Women’s Golf program has won three conference championships and made two national championship appearances. The Men’s Golf program won two conference championships and made two national appearances. “We’ve become one of the premier northern programs in the country and are making our name known nationwide,” said first-year Head Coach Eric Stauffer. “Both teams have been ranked in the top 25; men as high as #8 and women as high as #3. The commitment that York College has made to provide us with everything we need to be successful has been awesome.” That commitment has been significantly enhanced thanks to the support of alumnus Gary Gilbert II ’97 and trustee Gary Stewart Jr. Avid golfers, the two cousins came together and led the Stewart Companies to purchase a golf simulator and create a golf salon in the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center for the teams to use.
“We have the good fortune to call the Country Club of York home to our Men’s and Women’s Golf teams,” said Paul Saikia, Assistant Dean for Athletics and Recreation. “Their outstanding facility plays a significant role in the success of our program. However, consistently competing on the national level requires opportunities for our student-athletes to work on their skills in the off-season and when the weather prevents them from getting out on the course.” The indoor golf simulator, made by Trackman, includes a pin and projection screen, as well as a putting green. The “ground” in the salon will be the same type of material used to practice putting, according to Stauffer. “The technology behind the simulator provides information on what our golfers need to work on in their swing: swing speed, spin rate, path, attack angle, and club face.” “The Trackman is basically what they use to track missiles; it’s the same type of technology,” said Gilbert. “These simulators use algorithms that determine—
Gary Stewart, Gary Gilbert II ’97, and Eric Stauffer PAGE 6 | 2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT
based upon speed, trajectory, spin, and start line— where the ball is going to end up,” Stewart added. Gilbert and Stewart donated a simulator a few years ago, and the golf teams now use that outdoors. In addition, the team has access to a local indoor facility, but they have to schedule time and pay for it, and players have to drive to that location.
10,000+ donors supported EVOLVE “It’s going to be awesome in terms of bad weather,” Stauffer said, “to be able to have access to practice whenever we need it, especially as a northern school. It will provide more availability and access for players, pretty much whenever they want.” That’s one advantage the simulator provides. It gives the Spartans an opportunity to practice during the off months, when other teams are limited because of weather. No other team in the Middle Atlantic Conference has a simulator like this, according to Stauffer. “Scoring averages across the MAC are high in the early part of the season, because people have not been playing in months,” said Stewart. “We think that this gives York a competitive advantage. In the winter players can work on their game, come out in the fall, and be more ready to compete against their peers.” The technology and tracking also provides feedback that the student golfers can use to improve their game and other York College students may use as a learning tool. The Trackman uses physics and math, because the game of golf is very driven by numbers, Stewart said. “So many things about the simulator make you
a better player, and those same things can provide classes in academic programs like Data Analytics with an opportunity to understand what makes the golf ball go high and straight.” The simulator also provides a recruiting advantage to York College. “This helps tremendously with retaining players,” Stewart said. The simulator provides the sensation of swinging clubs and hitting balls. “This is as close as you can get to being on the course outdoors,” said Gilbert. “The simulator will allow them to play on incredible golf courses around the world that they probably would never get a chance to play.” Stauffer and Saikia see clearly the value of the support from Stewart and Gilbert. “With the simulator, we will continue to build on the success of the last few years and push toward bringing a national championship to York College,” said Stauffer. “We’ve put ourselves in a good position to make that happen.” “Our new indoor golf space is an awesome addition to our great athletics facilities, providing our teams access to state-of-the-art equipment right here on campus,” Saikia added. “We also believe it will impact our recruiting—it showcases our commitment to excellence, something we hope resonates with our future Spartans.” For Stewart and Gilbert, the bottom line is relationships—with the College, with Stauffer, and with the students. “We are both passionate about golf,” said Stewart. “We’ve seen the YCP teams play and we’ve played with them,” Gilbert said. “They handle themselves well. They have done well over the past four years, so it’s easy to support winners.”
Athletics EVOLVE Campaign Results With more than 460 student-athletes (approximately 11.5% of the undergraduate population), our Spartans often represent some of our strongest academic achievers as well, consistently reaching higher retention and graduation rates compared to the general student body. Thanks to your generosity, improving the on-field activities of these students will allow York College to continue to compete at high levels.
Over $2.5 million Total Raised
4,432
Total Donors
2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 7
York Country Day School
A Culture of Philanthropy Advances the School
PAGE 8 | 2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT
As the first comprehensive campaign came to a close this past fiscal year, York Country Day School’s campaign expectations were not just met, but exceeded. Who made this possible? Everyone from our youngest students to our most seasoned alumni, that’s who! Our donors are from all walks of life. They have one thing in common, however. It is their commitment and dedication to a York Country Day School education.
We have a 4-year-old excitedly waving a $1 bill in the air during our annual giving day, Houndsgiving. We have alumni from all years, especially the first graduating Class of 1957. We have businesses and foundations enthusiastically providing scholarship support. This culture of philanthropy spans decades and generations. The value of the dollar may differ, but the true value of their commitment is steadfast.
York Country Day School EVOLVE Campaign Results York Country Day School (YCDS) prioritizes the excellence of its program and the distinctiveness of its student experience. YCDS’ curriculum prepares students for admission to their top-choice colleges, and positions them for success after college as they develop skills for lifelong learning, curiosity, and engagement in real-world experiences. Fostering these objectives, its faculty, composed of a talented and diverse range of educators, use their leadership and pedagogical mastery to inspire the academic experience of students.
Over $10 million Total Raised
893
Total Donors
2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 9
Knowledge Park
First Tenant to House Research Project Funded through the Manufacturing Innovation PA Program
PAGE 10 | 2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT
York College of Pennsylvania’s Knowledge Park has acquired its first tenant, MRG Labs’ Tribology Research Center, which will house a research project funded through the Manufacturing Innovation PA Program. The Knowledge Park is located on York College’s campus adjacent to the Codorus Creek and Rail Trail, and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of modern businesses. It offers partners the ability to innovate and collaborate with students and faculty, making it the ideal location for MRG to locate their newly created Tribology Research Center.
500+ donors made gifts of $10,000 or more “We are delighted that MRG is creating their new Research Center at Knowledge Park. Their commitment to innovation and proven track record of meaningful student engagement aligns perfectly with our vision for the types of relationships suited for the Knowledge Park,” said Jeff Vermeulen, Chief of Staff to the President. “The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)-funded Manufacturing
PA Innovation research project will thrive in the new Center, and is indicative of the type of public/private innovation we aim to cultivate at Knowledge Park.” The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development awarded the College nearly $70,000 to support the research project that involves industry partners MRG Labs and Airline Hydraulics. York College Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Greg Foy is serving as Principal Investigator and Engineering students are serving as Manufacturing Fellows. Their research focuses on making co-bots more efficient and mobile in a laboratory environment, with the potential to positively impact manufacturers and their processes across the Commonwealth. Rich Wurzbach, President and CEO of MRG Labs, expressed excitement about the new agreement. “We are thrilled to be housing our new Tribology Research Center at Knowledge Park. The location, facilities, and ability to engage YCP students and faculty are ideal for our business needs, and we believe it will help us to grow and thrive in the coming years.”
Knowledge Park EVOLVE Campaign Results The Knowledge Park at YCP will provide a place for our campus community where high-impact learning will be activated, while also accelerating our region’s economic development. As York College evolves, we know our community will continue to grow alongside us. Whether we’re providing a high-knowledge business with a place to call home or helping students discover passions for their future careers, the Knowledge Park will create transformational opportunities.
Over $4 million Total Raised
120
Total Donors
2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 11
Scholarships
Honors Community Represents Cutting Edge of Experiential Learning
Honors Community Scholars PAGE 12 | 2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT
York College of Pennsylvania is home to a thriving Honors Community composed of scholars with an array of interests. One factor brings them together: a drive to design extraordinary lives. When Dr. Dominic DelliCarpini, Dean of the Center for Community Engagement, was given the opportunity to build a new type of student experience, he started with a different formula for selecting students. “Rather than just look at GPA and more traditional factors, I looked for students who were highly motivated to succeed in careers and had a clear sense of what they wanted to achieve in life,” he says. “I wanted what I called ‘makers and doers.’”
Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows The first honors group to evolve out of this mindset was the Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows. “That is how what would be the Honors program began, in collaboration with Mr. Don Graham,” Dr. DelliCarpini says. “We both wanted to provide students with handson learning to supplement their classes.” Matthew Sharrar ’23 (Newark, DE) is a Supply Chain Management Operations major with a minor in French. During his senior year in high school, he learned of the Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows program at York College and was drawn to its entrepreneurial focus and opportunities to study abroad. “I love traveling and wanted to see the world,” he says. Matthew Sharrar ’23
While the program afforded him the chance to study in France for a semester, he has gained so much more from being a Graham Fellow. Matthew helps lead the Student Academic Innovation Lab (SAIL), which brings together faculty members and students to innovate the ways faculty teach and students learn, using Human-Centered Design (a.k.a., Design Thinking) to facilitate collaboration. Unbound, a student-led Design Thinking consultancy agency, grew out of SAIL. Matthew and other Honors Community members bring Design Thinking into the classroom and into the community, teaching the principles at nonprofits and schools.
In the summer of 2022, Matthew traveled to Greece with other Honors Community students. While there, they connected with a local university and taught Design Thinking to the students. The students developed a bond that Matthew hopes will remain strong as they explore new ways to collaborate. “My favorite part of the whole program is the community that makes up the program,” he says. At the heart of being a Graham Fellow is an entrepreneurial spirit. “[Dr. DelliCarpini] really brought that idea to a whole new meaning,” says Matthew. “You can start a business, or you can take those ideas and apply them to some of your projects, taking ownership, figuring out and problem-solving in methodical and appropriate ways.” Matthew hopes to use what he’s learned as a Graham Fellow in a career in green supply chain management.
Eisenhart Community Scholars A year after Dr. DelliCarpini founded the Graham Fellows program, York College initiated the Eisenhart Community Scholars. This was the first of a group of programs that would make up the Honors Community, including the Presidential Research Fellows, Gordon Leadership Scholars, DelliCarpini Community Arts Scholars, and Hope Scholars. Eisenhart Scholars are students with a passion for serving their community. They receive an annual scholarship and commit to creating or joining in community service initiatives while forming partnerships throughout the local community. Nursing major and Gerontology minor Khushi Iyer ’24 (Downingtown, PA) knew she wanted more out of her college experience than just earning a nursing degree. The Eisenhart focus on helping individuals and creating projects drew her in. During her first year at York College, Khushi connected Khushi Iyer ’24 with Marketview Arts, a downtown gallery and studio space for students and local artists. “Our mission was to bring the community together through the arts and collaboration by creating programs 2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 13
that have the ability to engage diverse backgrounds and perspectives,” she says.
one can feel when speaking with professors and community members.
Khushi worked on creating virtual events and exploring ways to draw visitors into the building to interact with the art. She helped organize visiting speaker events and dialogue-focused programming aimed at sparking conversations around various viewpoints. She also continues to serve on the executive board of Unbound.
“I really hope that other students can see that I’ve been very lucky to have this opportunity,” she says, “but I wouldn’t have been able [to have this opportunity] if I didn’t try and put myself out on a limb. You have to be kick-starting your future and yourself.”
Each year, Eisenhart Scholars can choose a community endeavor to start or be involved with. As Khushi has developed along her career path, she’s started to shift her focus to tying together her interests in nursing and working with the elder population to create opportunities for intergenerational relationships. She hopes to someday build an intergenerational bridge between the College community and local elders. “If you need help,” she says, “the community is there for you.”
Presidential Research Fellows Presidential Research Fellows receive a four-year scholarship of full tuition and fees. As part of the scholarship, they design a research project that they develop throughout their undergraduate program. Environmental Horticulture major Hannah Zinn ’25 (White Hall, MD) came to the Presidential Research Fellows program with a deep interest in research. Throughout high school, she worked on several projects exploring mental health and education issues. “I love learning new things, just for the sake of it, whether I get graded on it or not,” she says. While still early in her Presidential Research Fellows project, Hannah hopes to focus on the impact of plants on mental health and education in the classroom. Hannah Zinn ‘25
“I’m passionate about helping people find themselves through agriculture,” she says. “I found a sense of peace with myself through agriculture.” For Hannah, the most rewarding aspect of being a Presidential Research Fellow has been the connections she’s made through the Honors Community. They have helped her overcome the pressure to perform at a certain level and be accepted, as well as the intimidation PAGE 14 | 2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT
Gordon Leadership Scholars The Gordon Leadership Scholars program is available to four students each year who are interested in learning about leadership through the lens of the Jewish culture. Nursing major Talon Basiewicz ’24 (Cleveland, OH) strived to be a leader in his Jewish community throughout high school. He was involved at his synagogue. As a Gordon Scholar, Talon became involved in Hillel, a Jewish campus organization open to all students that celebrates Jewish culture and traditions. He also performs community service, volunteering several hours each month. Talon hopes that, while at York College, he can bring new awareness to Hillel and encourage more students Talon Basiewicz ‘24 to come to its weekly meetings and special events. “I love doing things instead of sitting and talking about doing things,” he says. Being part of the Honors Community has been a highlight of Talon’s time at York College. The connections he’s made in the community, coupled with opportunities to have a voice on campus and express creative freedom in his leadership opportunities, continually inspire him to take the next step. For Talon, travel opportunities also have been an important part of being in the Honors Community. In the summer of 2022, he traveled to Greece, and he also plans to go to Poland in the future. Being a Gordon Scholar has helped him realize how impactful one person can be for the better. “My voice matters,” he says. “I can make things happen. That’s a unique position to be in as a junior in college.”
Making An Impact While the Honors Community continues to evolve, the core elements remain in place. Community engagement begins on day one of a student’s first year. Every Honors Community member is focused on projectbased learning and utilizing empathetic Design Thinking strategies to make a lasting impact on the community. “We believe in experiential learning,” says Dr. Karin Swartz, Assistant Dean of the Center for Community Engagement. “We see the Honors Community as leaders in that effort.”
She encourages high school students looking to design an extraordinary future to consider applying for one of the many programs that are part of the York College Honors Community. “The key,” she says, “is to take the opportunities that are available to you.” “I hope everyone considers joining any of the Fellows or Scholars programs,” Matthew says. “It gives you a great foundation and network of support.”
Scholarships EVOLVE Campaign Results Providing access to an education that prepares graduates for productive and purposeful lives is one of York College’s greatest strengths. Yet, more and more students come to us with limited resources and greater financial need, and we have a responsibility to ensure that our students are able to take full advantage of all the College has to offer. Significant growth in scholarship awards, like we’ve seen throughout the EVOLVE campaign, makes a bold and profound statement. Because of donors like you, we will continue to attract and retain exceptional students while maintaining a competitive tuition.
Over $19 million Total Raised
55
New Scholarships Created
2,429
Students Received Scholarships Over the Course of EVOLVE
1,654
Total Donors
2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 15
Spartan Commons
The New Alumni Fountain Stands as a Revitalized Cornerstone of the YCP Campus
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York College’s iconic fountain, located in the middle of Main Campus, has been remodeled, with the redesigned fountain unveiled during Fall Fest and Homecoming Weekend 2023. The campaign to reconstruct it was spearheaded by alumni donations, as well as by Shawn ‘01 and Nicole ’00 Halsey, who matched contributions up to $25,000 and helped motivate fellow alumni to support the project. All donors who contributed a gift of $500 or more to the campaign will be honored on an arbor sculpture by Machovec Metal Works, with their names etched on a leaf of the sculpture. “The construction went nicely, and the fountain is going to continue to be an icon at the center of campus,” says Dr. Ken Martin, Vice President for Campus Operations and Safety.
commitment to preserving our heritage while embracing progress. “We hope this newly renovated fountain will continue to be a gathering place for students, faculty, and alumni for generations to come. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the significance of this place in our college’s history and the memories we’ve created here.”
Nearly 1 in 5 of all donations were given by individuals or organizations that had never supported York College before. The Campaign The Alumni Association contributed the first $75,000 to the fountain rejuvenation project.
Pride and Tradition Through senior class giving, the fountain and the surrounding mall were constructed in October of 1974. Since then, it has been a testament to the generosity of alumni and their love of YCP. For nearly 50 years, the fountain and college mall acted as a central meeting point where students, alumni, and friends have come together. With a flat top, attractive knee walls, and the words of the alma mater engraved on its steps, the new Alumni Fountain continues to act as the heart of campus, welcoming alumni and new Spartans and their families. “We’re thrilled to announce the completion of the college fountain renovation project,” said Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Shellenberger ’87. “Our beloved fountain, a symbol of unity and tradition on our campus, has been revitalized to enhance the beauty of our grounds. It now stands as a testament to our
“We support this campaign because the fountain represents a central part of student’s lives at YCP,” said the Halseys. “We hope that this initiative helps to bring friends and classmates together and that the fountain remains an everlasting symbol to all current and future students of their experience at York College of Pennsylvania.” “What an exciting time for our institution,” said President Thomas Burns. “Guided by our strategic plan, and fueled in part by the successful EVOLVE Campaign, our institution is wonderfully positioned to move a variety of projects and initiatives from planning to implementation. The completion of the Alumni Fountain project is a very visible representation of just that, with more to come in the weeks and months ahead.”
Spartan Commons Alumni Fountain EVOLVE Campaign Results Spartan Commons will be a gateway to learning, a centrally located institutional destination for student-centered engagement. The state-of-the-art facility will offer activities, services, and learning opportunities for the campus community, where faculty, staff, and students gather and engage in intellectual pursuits. Through this, both our facilities and students will continue to evolve in positive and meaningful ways.
Nearly $1.5 million Total Raised
215
Total Donors
2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 17
Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation
Gift Funds the Creation of New Center
PAGE 18 | 2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT
York College has been planning for several years the creation of a centerpiece organization to promote innovation through collaboration across the entire campus. A transformative gift from York businessman Don Graham, through the Graham Foundation, will allow for those plans to come to fruition with the creation of the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation (GCCI). “This gift will allow York College to move forward with a very important initiative that will distinguish us from many other institutions,” said former President Pamela Gunter-Smith. “The GCCI will promote some of the most important aspects of a York College education: highimpact, experiential learning; innovation; collaboration; and community engagement.”
3,500 alumni made contributions York College has long been known for its practical and experiential approach to education, focusing on real-world experiences that allow students to apply their learning beyond the classroom walls. With the creation of the GCCI, the College distinguishes itself from other institutions by providing a “home base” for such initiatives to ensure every student is engaged in the cornerstone of learning at York College: high-impact practices, opportunities that range from internships to active, project-based learning that engage and challenge students, and promote deeper understanding. The GCCI will promote collaboration throughout the entire campus on the College’s distinctive focus on experiential learning, according to former Provost Laura Niesen de Abruna. “This refers to student experiences
that are active and engaged, and includes project-based learning, problem-based learning, clinicals, international and global experiences, co-ops, internships, field experiences and student teaching, community-based learning, student-faculty research, internships as well as independent studies and tutorials that have an experiential focus. These experiences are what make York College so different from other institutions that might look like us but cannot offer this range of active learning to their students.” The GCCI serves as the unifying element for three interconnected campus entities: 1) the Engaged Scholars and the Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows, a corps of innovative student leaders from diverse disciplines who learn through real-world experiences; 2) the Center for Faculty Excellence that develops, supports, and encourages faculty to make high-impact educational practices and digital pedagogy central features of a York College education; and 3) the Knowledge Park, a learning laboratory that enhances opportunities for students and faculty to interact with local businesses and organizations. “I happen to be extremely high on what I call entrepreneurial thinking, which really encompasses risk taking and collaboration throughout an entire organization,” said Graham. “It’s hard to keep an entrepreneurial spirit in a company as it grows. We tend to build departmental silos in industry and in education. You cannot get anything done without collaboration between all disciplines. The Center will draw people from every discipline across the campus to work together.” (Continued on next page)
Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation EVOLVE Campaign Results Intentionally created at the intersection of the five academic schools, the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation (GCCI) builds on York College’s long tradition of hands-on learning by pairing the skills of our students and faculty with the needs of our community. Three key areas that encompass the GCCI mission are the Knowledge Park, the Center for Faculty Excellence, and the Honors Community.
Nearly
$19 million Total Raised
51
Total Donors
2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 19
Graham’s gift also endows the Graham Fellows (formerly known as the Graham Innovation Scholars) and ties the group to the GCCI. “The Center broadens the base of what we are trying to do in the Fellows program, by involving faculty and community in collaborative activities,” said Graham. “The CCI will be home for the Graham Fellows, and will also serve as an extension. More people – faculty, students, and the community – will be drawn into collaborative activities.” “The Graham Fellows program is one of the student arms of the GCCI,” said Dominic DelliCarpini, Dean of the Center for Community Engagement. “The Fellows, along with the Engaged Scholars, will be central to engaging other students across campus in the work of the GCCI.” An Executive Director of the GCCI will be hired and report directly to President Thomas Burns. The GCCI office is in the Diehl House on Kings Mill Depot Road. “Pulling the pieces together for the GCCI couldn’t have happened at a better time,” said Jeff Vermeulen, Chief of Staff to the President, and Executive Director of York College’s Knowledge Park. “The GCCI will be an established, functioning unit of the College ready to incorporate the first phase of Knowledge Park partners under roof in the late fall/early spring next year.” Graham was a member of the York College Board of Trustees from 1983 to 1995, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in 2002. Through his business, Graham made the initial gift that launched the York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program (YCCOSP). He also made significant gifts to York College to name the Graham School of Business and Graham Field at the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center. “Entrepreneurial thinking encompasses collaboration,” Graham said. “Entrepreneurs figure out how to involve input from all areas, or they will fail. Collaboration is just necessary for activity of all sorts. The Center will enhance students in their profession and throughout their lives as they experience innovation through collaboration. Hopefully, this will be a real difference maker for YCP as competition for students gets tougher.”
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York College Fund
Spartans for Life Make Meaningful Philanthropic Investments “Tuition only covers a portion of the cost of a York College education. I like knowing that my gift to the York College Fund helps to cover that gap. As a parent, I am grateful for the gifts that allow my daughter to participate in meaningful activities to enhance her experience.” - Kelly Arcieri ’22, current parent, Master’s in Strategic Leadership and Management from YCP, and employee of the College for 6 years “I absolutely loved my time at York College and truly am a Spartan for life. Now that I am on the [Alumni Board], I hear about the different projects and needs for the school and want to make sure I am giving to the greatest need. My wish is that all York College students have the same amazing experiences at York and this is my small way of helping to make that happen.” - Sam Bollinger ’97, Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from YCP, and Alumni Board member for 8 years
“I give to the York College Fund because a lot of students feel like YCP is their home and these funds make sure students get what they need to be successful and comfortable. It also shows that people give back and uplift one another at York. When alumni and students give back through the York College Fund, you can feel the sense of community here.” - Nolan Smith ‘26, Current Sophomore and member of the Student Alumni Board, Student Senate, and Phi Sigma Pi Honors Fraternity “The York College Fund is valuable to the students because it will help enhance their experiences on the campus, in the classroom, on the sports fields, and in life! My husband and fellow alum Shawn (‘01) and I decided to support York College since our graduations because YCP means as much to us now as it did when we were students. We have been, and will continue to be, engaged in our alma mater because it shaped us into the people we are today. We learned our industry fundamentals as well as life lessons and soft skills to enhance our professional careers and personal lives. We are truly committed to the past, present, and most importantly, the future of York College.” - Nicole Halsey ’00, Bachelor’s in Public Relations and annual donor since graduation
York College Fund EVOLVE Campaign Results The York College Fund is the annual giving portion of fundraising at York, supporting the YCP experience. Gifts to the York College Fund touch the lives of every current and future student by providing funding for scholarships, academic programs, and student life that tuition alone is not able to cover. Unrestricted annual gifts, in particular, are an important part of the fiscal health of the College.
Over $ $7 million Total Raised
5,118
Total Donors
2023 PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT REPORT | PAGE 21
