State University Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher Headlines SUNY Delhi Centennial Celebration

DELHI, NY (05/10/2012)(readMedia)-- More than 300 guests will be in attendance when SUNY Delhi celebrates its sold-out "Celebrating 100 Years: The First Night" centennial gala on May 10 in the Farrell Student and Community Center. Sponsored by Quandt's Foodservice Distributors, the event officially kicks off the college's year-long 100th anniversary celebration and features the announcement of a milestone of the college's Centennial fundraising campaign.

"We've made scholarships a top priority of our centennial campaign," said President Candace Vancko. "It is our goal to ensure SUNY Delhi remains affordable and accessible so Delhi students can achieve their academic dreams."

On average, a SUNY Delhi student graduates with $13,000 of debt. Students currently borrow a total of $20,000,000 each year and the College Foundation at Delhi provides more than $350,000 in scholarships.

More than 30 pledges and gifts have been received to date from generous donors. Four gifts of $100,000 or more have been contributed and four new scholarship endowments have been established with help from Delhi alumni, including two that honor retired faculty members Dr. Walter Collins and Dr. Walter Bray. The May 10 gala event raised $34,000 in support of student scholarships.

The Centennial gala program will feature President Candace Vancko welcoming guests, scholarship recipient Ivy Hattem offering her gratitude, and SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher offering her best wishes.

SUNY Delhi, through its various scholarship opportunities and state and federal programs, helps to ensure that over 80 percent of Delhi students receive some form of financial aid. Scholarships at SUNY Delhi are awarded through the College Foundation at Delhi, Inc., a not-for-profit organization founded to accept and manage gifts to the college. The Foundation strives to make a Delhi education affordable and accessible to students through scholarships and financial aid, and contributes to programs and services that enhance educational quality at SUNY Delhi.

SUNY Delhi is a member of the State University of New York, the largest comprehensive university system in the U.S. Delhi's seamless approach to education includes over 60 academic programs, leading to one-year certificates, two-year associate's degrees and bachelor's degrees in select program areas.

For more information about SUNY Delhi's Centennial Campaign, contact Maureen C. McKenna, chief advancement officer, at (607) 746-4622 or mckennmc@delhi.edu.