HWS News
24 October 2025 • Service Volunteer Leadership Summit Highlights Service and Connection
During a day of celebration and service, alumni and parent volunteers strengthened ties with students, shared expertise and reaffirmed their commitment to HWS.
Nearly 100 alumni and parent volunteers representing classes from 1959 through 2026 returned to campus on Friday, Oct. 3, to attend the Fall 2025 Volunteer Leadership Summit during Homecoming and Family Weekend. Through leadership sessions, mentorship programs and recognition events, participants celebrated the impact of volunteer service and the shared values that continue to shape HWS.
Attending were current and former trustees, association leaders, members of the Parents Executive Committee, the President’s Leadership Council and representatives from Afro-Latino Alumni Association, Statesmen Athletic Association and Heron Society boards. Reunion volunteers, class correspondents, members of the Veterans Committee and Admissions and Career Services volunteers also took part.
“What an impressive gathering of dedicated leaders and champions of Hobart and William Smith,” said President Mark D. Gearan during the Volunteer Awards Dinner in the Vandervort Room. “Your focus in today’s conversations on how each of you can continue to make a meaningful difference in the life of Hobart and William Smith has been clear and inspiring. I want to thank you, sincerely, for your ongoing commitment to HWS and, most importantly, to our students.”
Volunteer Leadership Summit
Following morning leadership programming and lunch, volunteers joined students for the Student Mentorship and Career Fair in the L. Thomas Melly ’52, L.H.D.’02 Lobby of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts. Alumni and parent representatives from 11 career communities – including Arts and Design, Finance, Public Service and Technology – shared professional insights and encouraged students to make the most of HWS’ powerful alumni network.
During the weekend, Cynthia Gitelson L.H.D. ’12 and Stanley Gitelson were recognized for their generosity and enduring devotion to HWS, citing the legacy of the Caird Center for Sports and Recreation, the James F. ’56 and Cynthia L. Caird Endowed Scholarship Fund and Caird Hall as “lasting testaments to a shared commitment to our students and their future.” Gearan praised the Gitelsons’ ongoing presence, hospitality and support of programs like the Athletic Day of Donors.
Terry K. Smith ’80 was honored with the HWS Trustees Career Services Award in recognition of his dedicated efforts to transform student lives and his longstanding service to the HWS community. As a member-at-large of the HWS Alumni Association’s Executive Council, Smith is an exemplary advocate, resource and role model for students through the Afro-Latino Alumni Association (ALAA) mentor program, and for the broader community as a member of the Distinguished Faculty Award Committee.
Brian Carp P’27 and Joanna Carp P’27 were named as recipients of the HWS Ambassadors Award, which honors alumni, parents and friends who champion HWS through fundraising, Admissions outreach and Career Services mentorship. The Carps are co-chairs of the Parents Executive Committee. Joanna also serves on the Emerson Society Committee and at Admissions events.
The Class of 1975 was recognized for meeting and exceeding its Reunion fundraising goals, including raising a total of $1,957,792 since their last Reunion, which earned them the coveted Anderton Cup, a sterling silver trophy awarded each year to a 50th Reunion class that meets or surpasses the giving benchmarks of its predecessors.
Top: Executive Director of Alumni and Alumnae Relations Melanie Sage ’95, P’25, P’27 delivers opening remarks at the Fall 2025 Volunteer Leadership Summit, welcoming alumni and parent volunteers during Homecoming and Family Weekend.
