SCHENECTADY – The Schenectady County Community College Foundation unveiled The Promise of Our Common Future, a capital campaign with the goal of raising $2.5 million from private donors. As the College approaches its 50th anniversary, the new capital campaign will provide funding to help transform the library into a modern learning commons. The campaign will also boost financial aid to students in the form of endowed scholarships including new Promise Scholarships.
“This campaign aligns very intentionally with our Strategic Plan and is a true expression of the hopes and dreams that we have for our students,” said Dr. Steady H. Moono, President of SUNY Schenectady. “We want to fully build upon the best of our 50-year history by positioning the College to be open, accessible, and dynamic in the next 50 years.”
Two key areas of The Promise of Our Common Future Campaign are access and success.
Access. More than 68 percent of SUNY Schenectady students currently receive financial support. While SUNY Schenectady strives to keep tuition low, cost remains the leading barrier to students enrolling in college. The new capital campaign will boost the College’s already robust scholarship program and open more doors for first-generation college students and second-career students to write a new chapter of promise for their lives.
Success. The College will invest $9.4 million to transform the outdated library on campus into a modern Learning Commons. Gifts to the campaign will provide the upgrades necessary to ensure student success and create an environment where students thrive.
The $9.4 million Learning Commons renovation project will completely rebuild and reprogram two floors in the Begley Building on the SUNY Schenectady campus. Schenectady County and New York State have already made a substantial contribution to the Learning Commons project, one of the largest capital projects in the College’s history. Funding raised by the capital campaign will make the Learning Commons project a reality with the goal of starting construction in 2020.
“After listening to input from members of our College community, as well as friends of the College, we are looking forward to embarking on this substantial new project,” Dr. Moono said. “Our new Learning Commons will integrate student learning with spaces for labs, studying, tutoring, library materials, and student life. We are very grateful to the Schenectady County Legislature, New York State and the SUNY Schenectady Foundation for their commitment and support for this exciting capital project.”
“The Schenectady County Legislature is pleased to commit $4.2 million in County funds, one of the largest single financial commitments the County has ever made, to make the new Learning Commons a reality,” said Richard Patierne, Schenectady County Legislator and Chair of the Education and Libraries Committee. “This continues our strong support for the College. Our investment here will help students, faculty, and staff achieve shared success by providing them with quality study and learning space and the latest in technology.”
The new Learning Commons will occupy approximately 30,000 square feet of space including:
- Labs for math, writing and accounting
- Tutoring Center
- Café
- Quiet study rooms
- Group study spaces
- Reading area and library stacks
- A new Center for Excellence in Teaching
SUNY Schenectady officials expect to construct the new Learning Commons in 2020. The Schenectady County Community College Foundation, Inc. is currently raising funds to help equip the new space. College officials held open forums seeking input from students, faculty, staff, administrators, and supporters of SUNY Schenectady during the planning phase of the project.
Ann Fleming Brown, Chair of the Board of Trustees, explained that the Learning Commons will provide more resources for students. “We are redeveloping the current library in a fresh and innovative way,” she said. “The Learning Commons will serve as a hub on campus for learning, as well as student life.”
“Our students deserve a space where they can flourish and get the support they need to succeed,” said Jeanne Maloy, Co-Chair of the Campaign. “In the new Learning Commons, they’ll have access to a comprehensive Learning Center that houses labs for math and writing, a Tutoring Center, collaboration rooms, and even a small café.”
In addition to the new Learning Commons, the capital campaign will provide funding for endowed scholarships.
“Many SUNY Schenectady students can’t launch their education when life is complicated by worries about jobs, family, food, or housing,” said Dick Kotlow, Immediate Past Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Campaign. “Our scholarships will offer a chance to alleviate these worries so students can focus on school instead.”
“Our Foundation is fortunate to have a cherished family of alumni, donors, and friends who want to see our students achieve great things,” said Jamison Flora, Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors. “This campaign is a wonderful opportunity to bring everyone together for a common purpose that affects our future in a big way.”
Schenectady County is in the midst of a renaissance, and SUNY Schenectady is one of its drivers. With more than 55 degrees and certificate programs, SUNY Schenectady trains the workforce that powers our economy. Located on the expanded campus of the former Van Curler Hotel, SUNY Schenectady serves as an anchor to the downtown Schenectady area.
About SUNY Schenectady
Founded in 1969, SUNY Schenectady County Community College (SUNY Schenectady) is one of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, the largest comprehensive university system in the United States. SUNY Schenectady is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Through transferable degree and certificate programs, affordable tuition, strong student support services and a personalized approach to learning, SUNY Schenectady provides students with a regionally-acclaimed education that empowers them to take the next step in their lives. SUNY Schenectady offers degree and certificate programs through the
• School of Hotel, Culinary Arts, and Tourism
• School of Music
• Division of Business, Criminal Justice, and Law
• Division of Liberal Arts
• Division of Math, Science, Technology, and Health
SUNY Schenectady also offers an array of Workforce Development and Community Education services and non-credit courses. Learn more by visiting: www.sunysccc.edu.
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