Hobart and William Smith Colleges

18 June 2026 • Alums HWS Alumni Give Back Through Spring Days of Service By Lindsey Dixon-Marianetti

Living the spirit of Further Together, alumni partnered with local organizations nationwide.

This spring, Hobart and William Smith alumni gathered in communities across the country to participate in Alumni Days of Service, demonstrating HWS’ longstanding commitment to civic engagement and community partnership.

From New York City to California, alumni volunteers joined local organizations to support meaningful projects and strengthen connections with their communities while reconnecting with fellow alumni.

In Westchester County, alumni partnered with Bethany Arts Community, a nonprofit cultural center dedicated to supporting artists and fostering community engagement through the arts. Volunteers spent the day helping prepare and maintain the grounds and facilities, contributing to the organization’s mission of creating accessible spaces for creativity and collaboration.

“The day was fantastic,” says Mark Heyert ’87. “It was great to connect with fellow alumni while giving back to an organization that does so much for the community. There was a real sense of purpose and teamwork throughout the day.”

In the Bronx, alumni joined members of New Tabernacle Baptist Church for a community outreach event that provided food, clothing and other resources to local residents. Seven alumni volunteers helped distribute supplies while sharing information about HWS with community members.

“The community was blessed, our alumni were blessed, and we will do this again,” says the Rev. Dr. Hiram Ratliff ’88, pastor of New Tabernacle Baptist Church. “Community relationships have always been important to our church, and we are grateful for the partnership and support from Hobart and William Smith alumni.”

Additional Days of Service took place in Easthampton, Mass., where alumni volunteered at the Mass Audubon Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, and in the San Francisco Bay Area, where participants supported the Marin Food Bank’s efforts to address food insecurity in local communities.

The Alumni Days of Service build upon HWS’ deep tradition of service and community engagement. Whether restoring community spaces, supporting local outreach efforts or assisting organizations addressing critical needs, alumni continue to demonstrate the values of active citizenship that define the HWS experience.

Through these volunteer opportunities, alumni not only made a tangible impact in their communities but also strengthened the bonds formed through shared experiences at HWS long after graduation.

Interested in organizing an Alumni Day of Service in your community? Contact Alumni House at alumrelations@hws.edu to learn more about hosting an event and engaging fellow alumni in meaningful service opportunities.

In the photo at top: Ellen Fridovich David ’71, Duncan Himmelman ’73, Chuck Chernick ’73, Rev. Dr. Hiram Ratliff ’88, Dr. Pam Njapa-Minyard ’92 and Blair Minyard gather for a photo at New Tabernacle Baptist Church during the Bronx Day of Service.