POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam exceeded its fundraising goal again in 2011-12, raising more than $2.6 million for scholarships and support for the College's educational mission.

"I am so deeply touched by the generosity of our alumni and friends, and their profound and abiding commitment to making sure that today's students have all of the opportunities necessary for success in higher education and in life," said Pres. John F. Schwaller.

Many groups of supporters helped achieve the success. Strong leadership from the college administration and the Potsdam College Foundation Board of Trustees was instrumental in reaching this year's goal, officials said.

The 50-Year Club, made up of all classes from 1962 and earlier, made more than $1.7 million in class gifts this past year to benefit students and programs at SUNY Potsdam. The giving included both outright gifts and the establishment of funds through planned or estate giving.

Some of this year's noteworthy gifts included:

• In honor of her 50th reunion, Shirley McNally '62 and her husband Jim pledged an estate gift in support of the Annual Fund for Potsdam, to help meet the College's greatest needs and opportunities.

• In honor of his 45th reunion, Dr. Gary C. Jaquay '67 established the Domenic J. Pellicciotti Opera Composition Prize, to provide financial support for the solicitation of new operatic compositions, as well as the production of the winning compositions at The Crane School of Music.

• In honor of her 25th reunion, Diane Nole '87 pledged a major gift in support of the Mathematics and Science Center in the College's School of Education and Professional Studies.

• In honor of his 25th reunion, Glen Zagorski '87 and Jane Morale '80 established the Morale-Zagorski Greek Life Internship Scholarship to support an annual student internship with the Greek Life office.

“The overwhelming support of SUNY Potsdam's alumni and friends speaks to the hard work that our faculty and staff put in every day to ensure that the student experience at the College remains rigorous and engaging. We couldn't accomplish all that we have achieved without the support of our President and our volunteer boards, which provide the vital leadership needed to steward the institution and the gifts that support its mission," said Vice President for College Advancement Vicki Templeton-Cornell, who is also executive director of the Potsdam College Foundation.

To learn more about giving back to SUNY Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/alumni/giving/waystogive.