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AMHERST, N.Y. – ˿����Ƶ College President Gary Olson emphasized the college is strong, successful, and growing as a leader among higher education institutions across the country in his fall State of the College Address given on Oct. 2.  

“˿����Ƶ is at a very exciting moment in the college’s history as we continue to innovate and elevate our institution to overcome the many challenges that private colleges are facing nationwide, and, particularly, in New York State,” said Olson. “Given our remarkable record of achievements, the several strategic steps we have taken have ensured that ˿����Ƶ will thrive and continue to build and expand.”

To underline this, Olson announced that ˿����Ƶ’s robust recruitment efforts have resulted in successfully meeting this year’s goals for new graduate and transfer students and the college is only a few below its target for first-year students.

He also pointed to ˿����Ƶ’s fiscal health “as a clear sign of the college’s trajectory and promising future and that our proactive measures are working.”

Olson cited many physical signs of progress on campus, including ongoing grant-funded renovations of the college’s historic Curtis Hall, major refurbishments in the science facilities, and roof replacement on four buildings.

Beyond the college’s Main Street campus, he noted the recently announced New York State Department of Education approval for branch campus status for the college’s Brooklyn program, a unique educational offering customized to fit the needs of the Orthodox Jewish community.

“Being elevated from an extension center to a branch campus positions ˿����Ƶ well for the future by enabling us to expand our offerings in Brooklyn, further ensuring our fiscal health in these challenging times,” said Olson. “This is another major step in ˿����Ƶ’s evolution and sophistication as a college of national distinction, and it officially makes us a multi-campus college.”

In his address, Olson reported that ˿����Ƶ has reached nearly 85 percent of the $22 million goal for “Drive to 75,” the college’s first-ever comprehensive campaign. The “Drive to 75” campaign, which was publicly launched last fall, will raise funds for campus and academic enhancements, and student scholarships and professorships.

Moving forward, Olson noted that ˿����Ƶ is well-positioned for the future through a number of recent college-wide initiatives, including recruitment and retention efforts, enhancement of inclusion and diversity measures, improved cybersecurity, and the addition of an esports team.

“In addition, we have strengthened our financial position and internal operations, and have implemented niche academic programs and partnerships that set us apart and solidify our unique identity,” said Olson. “We are building for the future, and, clearly, we are strong and will get stronger. The work of everyone at ˿����Ƶ has made this success possible.”