President Peggy Williams  announces the campaign goal at the gala

On October 12 the College announced the Campaign for Ithaca College: Making a World of Difference at a campus celebration for the donors and benefactors whose generosity over the past five years, during the “quiet phase” of the campaign, has brought in 80 percent of the overall goal. A three-day kickoff on campus featured a talk and several appearances by Bob Iger ’73, president and CEO of the Disney Company and honorary chair of the campaign; a special meeting of the Ithaca College Board of Trustees at which citations were awarded to the founding members of the newly established IC Benefactors Circle — those whose generosity has lasted for many years and has enabled the College to thrive; a guest appearance by Metropolitan Opera star Roberta Peters, parent of Paul Fields ’79 and longtime scholarship supporter; numerous master classes given by alumni in many fields; and a gala evening of student performances and presentations, food, music, and dance.

At the evening event on the 12th President Peggy R. Williams announced the campaign goal: $115 million — and the amount raised to date from generous longtime donors: $92.6 million. “The rest,” noted campaign chair Larry Alleva ’71, “will come from those who may not yet realize how important their support is to the future of Ithaca College.”