Over the 2016-17 fiscal year, SUNY Potsdam garnered more than $3.2 million in gifts and new pledges.

"I continue to be amazed at the deep devotion that SUNY Potsdam alumni and donors hold for this institution and its students. Their remarkable generosity opens doors of opportunity for the next generation of Potsdam graduates," President Kristin G. Esterberg said in a news release.

As of June 30, SUNY Potsdam had raised $3,289,077 in gifts and pledges in the 2016-17 fiscal year, once again surpassing their annual goal. Donor engagement was particularly impactful for scholarship support and unrestricted giving, which is used to meet the college's greatest needs, school officials said in a news release.

Following are just a few examples of the opportunities that gifts have made possible at SUNY Potsdam this year:

• Internships: Fifteen music business students were able to travel to Anaheim, Calif., for the world's largest music industry convention, the NAMM Show, where they interned with top companies such as Yamaha and Sabian. Thanks to donor support, students were also able to take part in day-long visits with music industry professionals-this year, getting a behind-the-scenes look at Line 6, which specializes in guitar amps and effects pedals.

• Travel abroad: The 25 student members of the Crane Latin Ensemble traveled to SUNY Potsdam's new partner institution, the Universidad de Cienfuegos in Cuba, in March. Their trip wouldn't have been possible without donor support. The students completed a music performance and educational tour, attending intensive workshops, and getting to study and play Afro-Cuban music alongside master Cuban musicians.

• New equipment: SUNY Potsdam's new exercise science program now has a fully equipped educational lab, outfitted with what the release describes as “cutting-edge equipment,” such as VO2 max testing equipment. The Center for Applied Learning recently received a 3D printer from an alumnus, so students and faculty can experiment with this rapidly growing technology. An alumnus donated an atomic absorption spectrometer to the Department of Chemistry, which will greatly enhance student and faculty research. Politics students will benefit from new computer equipment for the department's student research lab, where they work on projects such as public opinion polling and the Soliya dialogue project, in which they engage in live, moderated video conversations with other students from around the world.

• Conference travel: Donor support makes it possible for a number of undergraduate and graduate students to travel to present their research at professional and educational conferences each year, such as a group that was able to network at this year's Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State meeting.

• Faculty support: Philanthropic giving has bolstered resources to help SUNY Potsdam faculty design instructional multimedia for use in instructional technology courses.

• Arts engagement: The Lougheed-Kofoed Festival of the Arts, better known as the LoKo Festival, just completed its sixth season. Thanks to donors, this annual event brings together campus and community for the largest and most comprehensive artistic festival offered in the North Country.

• Athletics: Donor funds made it possible for student-athletes to participate in spring training trips. Donors also provided funds to purchase training equipment, practice gear, portable dugouts, and to renovate the men's basketball team locker room.

“Despite having the smallest enrollment of all 13 comprehensive colleges within SUNY, the Potsdam campus boasts some of the most loyal and generous graduates-ranking third overall for alumni participation in giving. SUNY Potsdam also ranks third among SUNY comprehensive colleges for dollars raised per student, and in the total dollar amount of alumni giving,” the release reads.