As Friday will be my last day at the college, I am writing to bid farewell to the members of the campus community. It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as executive director and president of the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation for the past five years.
Hudson Valley is amazing place. I leave knowing that our donors believe in you — the faculty and staff of this college — and your ability to impact students’ lives and the community at large. People give to people; that is why our donors give, and that is why many of you give so generously. Our people have always been the hallmark of this great institution.
I want to personally thank Drew, the Foundation staff, our employee donor family, and the faculty, department chairs and administrators who have been champions for the Foundation. Whether you’ve served on our scholarship committee, volunteered at an event, made your first gift on #givingtuesday, co-written a funding proposal or participated in a donor visit, you have my deepest gratitude. Philanthropy is a campus-wide sport, and your support of the Foundation matters!
Our students come to Hudson Valley to follow their passion and I leave to follow mine. I’ve lived with type one diabetes for 25 years and starting on June 1, I will lead the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) chapter in Latham. Personally and professionally, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to raise funds to one day cure this relentless and devastating disease.
In my absence, Regina LaGatta will serve as interim executive director and president until December. She will prepare the Foundation for a search for its new leadership, complete the strategic plan, and facilitate the Foundation’s move to campus in early 2016.
Thank you for all the kind e-mails, notes and phone calls I’ve received with messages of support and encouragement. I’m sure Spencer and Jordan will be campers and/or students here one day, so please be on the lookout for them and take good care of them.
Best,
Ray
(518) 813-8822
raymatzkin@hotmail.com
Published: Thu, 14 May 2015 11:30:03 +0000 by r.kimmelblatt