Hobart and William Smith Colleges

18 August 2026 A Summer Evening Celebrates the HWS Community in Brooklyn By Lindsey Dixon-Marianetti

HWS students and young alumni share career insights, build connections and experience the enduring strength of the HWS community.

Against the backdrop of Brooklyn's historic Prospect Park South neighborhood, current Hobart and William Smith students interning in New York City joined young alumni at the home of former HWS Trustee Mike Gantcher '92, P'27, P'30. The evening celebrated the strength of the HWS community. Stories of internships, career paths and favorite campus memories sparked meaningful conversations, reinforcing the relationships that make the HWS network so enduring.

Hosted by Mike Gantcher '92, Christina Gantcher P'27, P'30, Billy Gantcher '27 and Ben Gantcher '30, the gathering introduced students to the lifelong HWS alumni community while giving young alumni an opportunity to reconnect and strengthen relationships that began as classmates.

"I wanted to bring this group together because the relationships you build at Hobart and William Smith last a lifetime," says Gantcher. "The HWS community continues to show up for one another. Whether you're looking for advice, making professional connections or simply finding your place in a new city, those relationships matter, and I wanted our students and young alumni to experience that firsthand."

For students spending the summer in New York City, the evening offered a new perspective on what it means to be part of the HWS community.

"My internship has been an incredible opportunity to learn outside the classroom," says senior Lizzy Whitney ’27, who was a digital sales intern with Reuters this summer. "But spending the evening with HWS alumni showed me that the experience doesn't stop on campus. It was inspiring to meet people who genuinely want to help students succeed and who are excited to stay connected."

Young alumni embraced the opportunity to welcome current students into the community that has continued to shape their own lives and careers.

"As a young alum, it's exciting to be on the other side of these conversations," says Ben Shapiro ’17, a senior associate at JPMorgan Private Bank. "Not long ago, I was the one asking questions and looking for guidance. Now, I have the chance to help students make connections, share what I've learned and show them that the HWS community is always there when you need it."

Throughout the evening, introductions quickly turned into conversations, and conversations into new connections. Students gained insight from alumni navigating careers in New York City, while young alumni reconnected with classmates and strengthened the network they continue to build together.

The gathering reflects HWS’ commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students and alumni to engage with one another beyond campus. Gantcher's commitment to HWS extends well beyond events like this; through the Gantcher Family Foundation, he also provides funding for the “Nonprofits, Philanthropy and Giving” course, creating another opportunity for students to learn, connect and engage with the power of philanthropy. By bringing together members of the HWS community at different stages of their journey, events like this reinforce one of the HWS’ greatest strengths: a community built on relationships, generosity and a willingness to support one another.

Interested in hosting an HWS gathering in your community? Contact the Office of Alumni and Alumnae Relations to learn more about the Host Your Own program and opportunities to connect fellow alumni and students.