Hobart and William Smith Colleges

22 July 2025 From the Office of the President: Remembering Greg Cotterill

Dear Members of the HWS Community,

I write with the sad news that our colleague Greg Cotterill has passed away. 

Greg joined the HWS community in 2003 and served at the helm of WHWS and WEOS. As station manager, a reporter with the Finger Lakes Radio Group and mentor to many students and alumni, Greg’s voice was instantly recognizable across campus and the Finger Lakes. 

Whether behind the scenes editing a news segment, running the broadcasts for our Herons and Statesmen athletic events, or teaching students how to handle their first live show, Greg brought a deep commitment to local journalism and a genuine love of music to his work. He managed virtually every aspect of keeping both WEOS and WHWS running smoothly, handling everything from news coverage and station operations to organizing music, mentoring students and managing promotions. 

Just this weekend, Greg and the team at Finger Lakes News Radio and Finger Lakes Daily News received the James W. Wright Fire Service Journalism Award for their brave coverage of the devastating January 21 block fire in Ovid. In freezing temperatures, Greg quickly responded to the scene that night, giving the community updates that were immediately posted online and on-air. 

Greg received his bachelor’s degree in radio and television from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. At HWS, Greg helped shape the lives of countless students who found their passion in radio, journalism and audio production. He genuinely cared about what our graduates went on to do – printing out national news articles that featured them and proudly handing out copies across campus. Their accomplishments covered the walls of the WHWS studio. Greg understood the power of a good story, and he made sure the achievements of our students and alumni were seen, heard and celebrated.

When I think of Greg’s impact, I think of Friday afternoons at the Scandling Campus Center, when student DJs step confidently out of the WHWS studio to host their shows live in front of students entering Saga Dining Hall or picking up packages. Greg cared deeply about our students, nurturing their confidence and energy with training and encouragement. The joy he created every Friday was palpable.

Greg’s absence will be felt deeply on campus and across the airwaves. Please know that HWS offers students and staff a number of resources to assist.  

We will share information about plans to celebrate Greg’s life and contributions as it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Mark D. Gearan
President