Mike Brogan, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, and Lisa Rafalson, Founding Dean of the College of Health, Human Sciences, and Business at Golisano Press Conference
Daemen University was awarded a $5 million unrestricted grant from B. Thomas Golisano, entrepreneur, philanthropist and the founder of Paychex. Mr. Golisano donated $360 million to 82 nonprofit organizations across Western and Central New York, focused on health, education, intellectual and developmental disabilities, animal welfare, and other community needs.
Michael S. Brogan, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, and Lisa Rafalson, Founding Dean of the College of Health, Human Sciences, and Business attended the press conference held Tuesday September 17 at the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship, with whom Daemen has an articulation agreement. Golisano’s announcement that he was giving away $360 million, and his naming of the grant recipients, came as a complete surprise to the representatives from Daemen and the other nonprofit organizations.
In a letter to Daemen’s President about this grant award, Mr. Golisano wrote, “I commend what Daemen has accomplished through its highly specialized work and am certain Upstate New York will continue to benefit from your ongoing vision and dedication to this community.”
“We are overwhelmed by Mr. Golisano’s generosity to Daemen University and the region,” stated President Gary A. Olson, “and honored by his confidence in Daemen’s impact on our students and our community.”