A Major
Life Changer

Alfred State College thanks President Sullivan for impact on Major Gifts Campaign.

Since planning in 2018 and the public launch in September 2020, Alfred State College’s “Be a Life Changer” Major Gifts Campaign has raised millions of dollars for scholarships, new programs, athletics, technology, and much more thanks to the generosity of its donors.

Along the way, providing leadership and guidance to help make the campaign successful is the same person who has provided incredible stewardship of the college for the past seven and half years as president – Dr. Skip Sullivan.

Major Gifts Officer J. Joseph Wilder (’77) stated that President Sullivan has provided the vision, support, and drive that are essential for the success of the campaign – Be a Life Changer.

Dr. Skip Sullivan is certainly a major life changer and is leaving a positive, lasting impact on the entire Alfred State Family.

“President Sullivan had the vision to build a major gifts campaign, which the college had never done before,” Wilder said. “Skip understands how Alfred State College has changed the lives of students for generations – altering trajectories. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that our major gifts campaign is a success. His outreach with alumni has been enormously successful because they recognize his sincerity and student-centered goals."

Some of the ways in which Sullivan has made a difference in the campaign include:

• Building early support through the 501(c)(3) Development Fund Board, The Educational Foundation of Alfred, Inc., the College Council, ACES, the alumni campaign steering committee, and others.
• Making the campaign a priority of his presidency and focusing fundraising on student-centered goals.
• A willingness to invest money to raise money, including investing in brochures, upscale events, grant writing, and travel for engagement with alumni across the country.
• Uniting and inspiring faculty, administration, alumni, and friends of the college to work together for the $8 million campaign goal.

“Simply put, this campaign would not exist or be successful without President Sullivan’s leadership and the tremendous interest in the college that he inspires in our donors,” Wilder said. “As a student-focused President, Skip knows the significance of the campaign and the impact it will make on current and future Pioneers. We are grateful for all he has done for the students, campaign and college.”

Among the many Alfred State College achievements that have taken place during Sullivan’s tenure as president, in no particular order, are:

• Adding many new, in-demand programs, such as radiologic technology, mechatronics technology, and agricultural entrepreneurship.
• Improving the college’s rankings in US News & World Report and other rankings websites.
• Middle State Commission on Higher Education reaffirming accreditation of Alfred State.
• Renovating the Library exterior, MacKenzie Complex and the Pioneer Student Union.
• Several athletics achievements, including joining NCAA DIII, opening the Shay Family Athletic Hall of Fame, and constructing a new locker room facility at Pioneer Stadium.
• Introducing a new Alfred State logo and college mascot.
• Completing construction on the Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing Center, the Motorcycle and Power Sports Technology Building, and the Workforce Development Center.
• Launching the Alfred State Police Academy.
• Adding a Micro-Nano Fabrication Laboratory and the Bethesda Foundation Imaging Suite.
• Hosting representatives from a Nigerian school who came to Alfred to discuss best practices for running a successful technical college.
• Launching the Alfred State Esports team and adding an Esports Suite to the Student Leadership Center.
• Opening the Pioneer Trail hiking system and tubing hill on campus.
• Launching the college’s annual Day of Giving.
• Partnering with the Northland Workforce Training Center in Buffalo to establish a third campus for the college.
• Successfully switching to remote instruction in the spring 2020 semester due to COVID-19 and resuming in-person instruction in the fall of 2020, which continued through the spring 2021 semester.

Sullivan’s greatest legacy if asked, though, is being known as the “students’ president.” He takes great pride in knowing and interacting with students daily and on any given evening or weekend can be found at an athletic event, poetry reading, or even hosting student teams and groups at the college home for dinner.

Whether leading the college, guiding the Major Gifts Campaign, or even just sitting down to have lunch with students, Dr. Skip Sullivan is certainly a major life changer and is leaving a positive, lasting impact on the entire Alfred State Family.

Roxana Sammons, director of Alumni Relations said, “President Sullivan loves our alumni, and they love him! He has provided an open-door policy for our alumni that has remained steadfast throughout his tenure. He has shaken every hand and welcomed all alumni to campus. Alfred State alumni wish President Sullivan a fond farewell and a wonderful retirement!”

Wilder added, “In looking at the positive changes in the administration, alumni relations, campus facilities, faculty and staff, reputation and standings, students and elsewhere, it is readily evident how much Dr. Sullivan has meant to Alfred State College. I believe that the way he has successfully supported these improvements will be even more evident as time goes by. We are certainly going to miss him. We are forever grateful for all he has done. We wish him and First Lady Debbie Sullivan many years of health and happiness.”

Table of Contents