UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is proud to announce that its 2025 Day of Giving, held on March 27, was the most successful in the university’s history, raising a record breaking $260,000 in just 24 hours. Two new $25,000 endowed scholarships were also established in memory of Anita Brown and Dan Ryan. The generous contributions from alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community partners will support vital student-centered programs across campus.
This year’s campaign was energized by a $40,000 matching gift, which doubled the impact of donations up to $40,00, and helped mobilize a wide range of donors who came together to champion the future of SUNY Poly students.
“This milestone reflects the powerful spirit of our SUNY Poly community,” said Andrea LaGatta, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “To surpass our goal and set a new record shows the deep commitment our supporters have to our students’ success. These gifts go beyond numbers—they’re investments in access, opportunity, and transformation.”
Funds raised during the Day of Giving will benefit key areas including Wildcat Athletics, Student Scholarships, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), the SUNY Poly Emergency Fund, Poly Pantry, the newly established Interdisciplinary Business Center, and the SUNY Poly Annual Fund.
Also, new scholarships, made possible through the generosity of this year’s donors, will further reduce the financial burden on students and help keep higher education both accessible and affordable.
“This record-breaking Day of Giving demonstrates the incredible power of community,” said President Dr. Winston Soboyejo. “Every gift, no matter the size, helps fuel the innovation, resilience, and determination that define our students. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who gave— we are building the future, together.”
New Scholarships
The Dan Ryan Scholarship fund will be awarded to undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Engineering at SUNY Poly, with preference given to students enrolled in the Computer Science Program.
The Anita Brown Scholarship Fund will be awarded to undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Business at SUNY Poly, with preference given to female students.
“We are deeply grateful to the Brown and Ryan families for their extraordinary generosity in establishing endowed scholarships in memory of Anita and Dan,” said LaGatta. “These lasting legacies are a beautiful tribute to lives well lived and a profound investment in future generations of SUNY Poly students. Their support will open doors and create opportunities for students to succeed for years to come.”
Those interested in establishing a scholarship at SUNY Poly should send an email to andrea.lagatta@sunypoly.edu. Also, the SUNY Poly Foundation is still taking donations as part of this year’s Day of Giving. To learn more, please visit sunypoly.edu/dayofgiving.
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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Poly is charting a path to become New York State’s and the nation’s premier public polytechnic. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees – via its four colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences – in engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including biology, game design, mathematics, and social sciences at its campus located in Utica. Established in 1966 as the Upper Division College at Herkimer/Rome/Utica, SUNY Poly today operates as an innovative academic leader and economic driver in the Mohawk Valley region and beyond. For more information, visit http://www.sunypoly.edu.
