SUNY Geneseo exceeds $45M fundraising goal with record-breaking capital campaign

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SUNY Geneseo has successfully concluded the largest fundraising effort in its history, surpassing its $45 million goal with more than $46 million raised through its Opportunities Rising: Geneseo for Generations campaign. 

Publicly launched in 2023, the campaign aimed to enhance the student experience and reinforce Geneseo’s stature as New York’s public honors college.  

The funds have already translated into tangible results—including expanded scholarships, undergraduate research support, study abroad opportunities, and a newly renovated Milne Library. 

“This campaign seemed almost audacious at its start,” said Denise Battles, SUNY Geneseo president, noting its success highlights the deep loyalty and commitment of the school’s alumni, faculty and supporters. 

Battles added that the campaign’s total more than doubled the amount raised in Geneseo’s previous campaign and exceeded efforts by many larger peer institutions. 

SUNY Geneseo offers 62 undergraduate degree programs and three graduate programs.  

The college earned the #1 spot for 2025 Best Undergraduate Teaching in the Regional Universities—North category in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent rankings. 

The school’s fall 2024 enrollment was 3,966. That included 1,193 incoming students, of which 971 were undergraduates, 45 were graduate students and 174 were transfers.  

The Opportunities Rising campaign was designed to support three strategic pillars that reflect Geneseo’s role as New York State’s public honors college: 

• Elevate access—Expand scholarships, support remote learners and transfer students and remove financial barriers to a Geneseo education. 
• Create experiences—Fund high-impact opportunities such as study abroad, undergraduate research and co-curricular learning to prepare students for meaningful lives and careers, and 
• Demonstrate impact—Invest in academic excellence, sustainability and faculty-student collaboration to drive innovation and preserve strong communities. 

Opportunities Rising—only the second in the college’s 152-year history—received gifts from across the Geneseo community, including alumni, parents, faculty and friends. 

“There’s a unique connection that is very common among people who spend four years on our campus,” said Kevin Gavagan, an alum and campaign chair. “It’s that special connection that no one can really define. So many people asked, ‘How can I best contribute?’ They wanted to pay it forward.” 

Added Robert Walley, a school alum and chair of the Geneseo Foundation Board, “The accomplishment stands as a powerful testament to the dedication and generosity of supporters who believe in the power of education and the bright future of SUNY Geneseo.” 

Despite the milestone, Geneseo officials say the work continues.  

Carolyn Campbell, interim vice president for College Advancement, emphasized the need for ongoing engagement. 

“We recognize that while reaching our goal is a significant accomplishment, it does not fully address the many needs of Geneseo or our vision to elevate New York’s public honors college to even greater heights,” Campbell said. “The journey continues—and with it, our unwavering commitment to engage and re-engage Geneseo’s alumni and friends in the months and years ahead.” 

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