HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College community outpaced last year’s totals for its Giving Day fundraiser, with more than $56,000 coming from nearly 200 donors to help the college carry out its mission. Alumni, students, family members, faculty, staff, and friends of Hilbert supported the college’s new Franciscan Student Resources Fund to help current and future students in immeasurable ways. The Hilbert community came together on April 8 for Giving Day despite significant challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am so grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support for Hilbert students on this year’s Giving Day,” Hilbert President Michael S. Brophy, Ph.D. said. “More than ever this year, our students rely on your generosity to support scholarships, urgent basic needs such as food and housing, remote education assistance, athletic programs and other essential services and programs.”
Hilbert students and faculty rallied under difficult circumstances, with many from the community offering videos and messages in support of the effort from their homes. Students will face additional challenges related to the efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus and the Hilbert community showed up to help prepare for those challenges, demonstrating the Franciscan values that are at the core of the school’s mission.
"Together with our dear Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, we renew the spirit of Mother Colette Hilbert ‘In all things Charity,’” Dr. Brophy said. “On behalf of the students that will be impacted by your generosity and in gratitude for all that you do for Hilbert every day, we thank you.”
Hilbert College, located in suburban Hamburg, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is a private four-year college founded in 1957 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition. With nearly 800 students, Hilbert is a dynamic Western New York college that offers career-focused majors, including one of the top criminal justice programs in the region, and more than 50 minors and concentrations. The college’s engaging, student-centered campus community offers numerous leadership, internship, and service learning opportunities from which students launch successful careers while making positive changes in their communities. The Hilbert Blueprint promotes a well-rounded student experience over four years – starting with the Foundations Seminar in the freshman year, followed by Sophomore Service, Junior Symposium, and culminating with the Senior Capstone. Hilbert has expanded its academic offerings with the college’s first graduate programs in criminal justice administration and public administration, including a track in health administration.