Friends Exceed Music Campaign Goal
	The Friends of Ithaca College campaign for the James J. Whalen Center for Music has raised more than $123,000 — far surpassing its goal for funding of a reception area in the new facility. The campaign met its $100,000 "green room" goal on December 31, and the balance of the pledges have been targeted for other areas in the building as well as for scholarships. "The Friends of Ithaca College has provided vital support to the College for the past 40 years, and is now continuing that tradition by playing an integral part in the music campaign," say campaign cochairs Frank and Jean Proto. The Friends campaign was initiated with a $25,000 challenge grant from Tompkins County Trust Company in honor of College president emeritus James J. Whalen’s 22 years of leadership. When Trust Company president and CEO Jim Byrnes presented the challenge last June, he lauded the School of Music as the backbone of the College. "This tangible commitment to the future of that program assures that it will continue to benefit the College and the community," Byrnes said. The campaign reached its $100,000 goal in December thanks in large part to a $15,000 gift from M&T Bank. "This gift represents our belief in the importance of the College to the community and our gratitude for all the School of Music has provided in the past and will provide in the future," says Scott Dagenais, president and chief executive officer of M&T Bank’s southern division. The success of the Friends campaign brings the College that much closer to the successful conclusion of the $10.5 million campaign to build the new music facility. More than $8.6 million has now been raised in gifts and commitments from alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations, and a $500,000 award from the Kresge Foundation—one of the country’s most prestigious philanthropic foundations—will complete the campaign once the $10 million mark is reached. "We are deeply grateful for the hard work and generosity of the members of the Friends of Ithaca College on behalf of our founding school," said College president Peggy R. Williams. "Their success is both a symbolic and tangible sign of their commitment to and confidence in Ithaca College." The Friends of Ithaca College formed in March 1958, when Ithaca College trustee Roland "Red" Fowler agreed to head up a committee of local residents to raise funds for the College’s expansion. His group of 100 "friends" each pledged to give funds annually and to recruit others to participate. Within six months, the group had raised more than $6,000 for library books and much-needed scientific equipment. The group has continued to be a positive force for the College, including their continuing program of endowed scholarships for students in the Tompkins County area. New Friends president Ron Seacord ’68 says the organization’s upcoming 40th anniversary will give the group "all the more reason to work closely with President Williams and the staff at the College to renew our commitment to this strong partnership." Seacord, president of Ithaca’s Excelsior Systems Inc., was elected to the Friends post during the organization’s annual meeting December 7. He succeeds the Protos as the organization’s top officer.