Celebrations erupt at Whitman School as they smash fundraising records, priming them for a transformative phase.
The Martin J. Whitman School of Management has achieved an unprecedented fundraising milestone, raising over $10.9 million in cash donations during the 2024-25 academic year. This record-setting support can be largely attributed to the successful launch of the Whitman Leadership Circle (WLC) recognition program, founded in the fall of 2024.
The WLC offers six levels of commitments, extending from $25,000 to over $1 million, allowing donors to designate their support to any area at Whitman that they choose. The program has empowered over 49 donors to make multi-year leadership gift commitments, generating over $6.3 million in new support for the school in its inaugural year alone.
The Whitman School Dean's Fund received nearly $3.2 million in cash giving and pledges, marking the best year ever for the fund. This surpassed the previous high of $7.9 million, making it the most successful cash fundraising year ever for the school.
The WLC has been a significant contributor to this fundraising success, amassing support through various avenues, including annual giving to the Whitman School Dean's Fund, scholarship and endowment support, and multi-year commitments through the WLC giving society.
Interim Dean Alex McKelvie expressed gratitude towards the community of alumni, parents, friends, and donors for their support. Of the 1,649 donors, 1,266 made gifts less than $2,500, demonstrating the impact of every gift, regardless of size.
The WLC donors receive a personalized stewardship experience, including special recognition, exclusive communication, invitations to events, unique gifts, and opportunities to interact with students and faculty. This engagement not only strengthens the connection between donors and the school but also enhances opportunities for Whitman students to develop, network, and position themselves for their careers.
The Whitman School aims to become a top 25-ranked business school with the support from alumni, parents, and friends. The success of the WLC and the record-breaking fundraising achievements are steps towards achieving this goal.
For those interested in learning more about the WLC and opportunities to make an impact, they can visit the Whitman Leadership Circle website or complete the WLC interest form.
[1] Martin J. Whitman School of Management. (2025). Record-breaking fundraising year at Whitman School. Retrieved from https://whitman.syr.edu/news/record-breaking-fundraising-year-at-whitman-school
[3] Martin J. Whitman School of Management. (2025). Alumni and leadership groups fuel transformation efforts. Retrieved from https://whitman.syr.edu/news/alumni-and-leadership-groups-fuel-transformation-efforts
- The Whitman Leadership Circle program, a significant contributor to the Martin J. Whitman School of Management's record-breaking fundraising milestone, allows donors to support various areas within the school, including education-and-self-development, by designating their contributions.
- Beyond offering personalized stewardship experiences, the Whitman Leadership Circle program also aims to facilitate finance-focused opportunities for Whitman students, furthering their education and self-development in the field of business.
