WESTFIELD – After months of controversy involving the departure of now-former President Dr. Evan Dobelle, Westfield State University is looking to start the spring semester of 2014 off by mending it’s relationship with students and alumni alike.
As a part of that effort, the University’s new advancement division, headed by former State Senator Michael R. Knapik, announced staffing changes this week and set an agenda emphasizing donor engagement for a new year filled with fundraising efforts.
The division’s premiere fundraising event for 2014 is the 175th Scholarship Gala, which will be held on Saturday, March 29, at the Scanlon Banquet Hall on the Western Avenue campus, with event proceeds benefiting student scholarships, internships, and book scholarships.
“As Westfield State continues to observe its 175th anniversary, this event and others will showcase the talented students and excellent faculty and staff who are part of our university,” Knapik said.
Appointed in August, Knapik has rounded out a prolific team to head the division, including former director of the Westfield Business Improvement District, Lisa McMahon; former development officer at Bay Path College, Amy Carignan; WHYN-AM 560 on-air personality Bo Sullivan; and recent WSU grad David Candella.
Also assisting Knapik will be longtime Westfield State employees David Caspole and Bonnie Clark.
“The university has put together a tremendous team of professionals whose primary task will be to raise funds to support students, faculty, and university needs,” Knapik said. “Each of these professionals brings a great deal of fundraising, stewardship, and networking skills to the table… I could not think of a better team to help Westfield State during its 175th anniversary year.”
As part of his new duties Knapik oversees the Westfield State University Foundation, which raises funds for scholarship support, internship programs, athletics, and other projects.
The foundation’s Board of Directors and its extended corporators serve as the fundraising arm of the university within the community and western Massachusetts.
Signature events have included the university’s annual Breakfast with Santa and the Interfaith Breakfast to support the university’s Interfaith Center, a gift from the late philanthropist Al Ferst and his wife, Millie.
“Perhaps the foundation’s greatest impact is that it manages and raises monies through a series of events and direct appeals for a portfolio of scholarships and funds to benefit the students who attend Westfield State,” Knapik said.
Made up of a group of committed alumni, community residents, and professionals, the foundation, which was founded in 1980, is a non-profit organization designed to raise funds to support the university’s mission.
Other initiatives of both the advancement division and foundation include raising funds for the state’s University Internship Incentive Program, where every dollar raised by the university will be matched by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts dollar-for-dollar for paid internships, supporting faculty priorities, and participating in a capital campaign for the university’s new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) building.
The foundation manages scholarships and funds endowed to honor over 18 individuals, various classes and families, as well as heading on-campus initiatives such as the naming of the Bud and Jim Hagen Field at the university this past spring.
“We are grateful at the university to have such generous benefactors and partners among its alumni, within the community, and on campus.” said Knapik. “These funds and programs supplement state support, student tuition, and other costs associated with attending WSU.”
In addition to the March scholarship gala, the foundation has announced several events over the course of 2014, including a Tekoa Hold ‘em Tournament on April 4 at Tekoa Country Club, the Fiddler on the Roof Dinner Theater on April 12 at WSU’s Dever Auditorium, the Foundation Golf Classic on June 9 at the Springfield Country Club, the Owl Club Golf Tournament on August 4 at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, and Breakfast with Santa on December 6 at WSU’s Scanlon Banquet Hall.
