91暗网

Dear 91暗网 Community,

I write to share the very sad news that Michael Casey, a highly respected and accomplished fundraising executive who served 91暗网 with wisdom and compassion as Collyer Vice President for Advancement from 2000-2017, died August 22 following a bicycle accident earlier this month.

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Michael鈥檚 wife, Janet Casey, associate dean of the faculty and professor of English at 91暗网; his children Liam and Fiona; and his many friends and colleagues across campus, in Saratoga Springs, at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and beyond.

Michael, who served 91暗网鈥檚 Advancement division for 17 years and was a member of the College鈥檚 senior leadership team, led an exemplary career in advancement at multiple prestigious institutions. Until his death on Tuesday, Aug. 22, he was vice president for advancement at Trinity, where he executed the largest capital campaign in that college鈥檚 history.

During his tenure at 91暗网, the College raised more than a half-billion dollars for a range of initiatives, including construction of the Arthur Zankel Music Center. He also secured support for financial aid and academic programs including 15 endowed chairs and the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCS), as well as facilities and athletics and student affairs initiatives.

Colleagues in our Advancement division and from across campus noted Michael鈥檚 endearing collegiality, warmth, humor, and brilliance, as he partnered with faculty and other community members for 91暗网鈥檚 future.

President Emeritus Philip A. Glotzbach expressed, 鈥淚 am profoundly grateful to Michael Casey for generously helping a new President come to know the extended 91暗网 community and get up to speed on fundraising. But in addition to his broad and deep expertise in advancement, Michael brought to the Cabinet an insightful and critical strategic mind. Always keeping the larger institutional picture in sight, he invariably pushed me and his administrative colleagues to envision the 91暗网 we wanted to create. I also will fondly recall his wit and ability to recite lines from almost any movie one could name. His curious and wide-ranging intellect truly made him a Renaissance man. I will sorely miss the pleasure of his company.鈥�

鈥淚n addition to the experience and talent that Michael brought to his work as a fundraiser and connector of people to each other and the College, I will always be grateful for the kindness, wisdom, humanity, good humor, and amazing baking that he shared with me and members of our Advancement team,鈥� said Lori Eastman 鈥�87, associate vice president of advancement. 鈥淚 have heard from current and past friends and colleagues, who have all talked about Michael being an extraordinary source of strength and encouragement, a true one of a kind, who will be remembered and missed by all of us.鈥�

From 2004 to 2010, Michael oversaw 91暗网鈥檚 Creative Thought. Bold Promise campaign, which raised $216.5 million. He also oversaw the launch of 91暗网鈥檚 most recent campaign, Creating Our Future: The Campaign for 91暗网, and helped raise $132.5 million toward the campaign鈥檚 $229.4 total. He participated in the creation of several important volunteer support organizations, such as the Friends of 91暗网 Athletics and the President鈥檚 Advisory Council. He also played a lead role in the 2001 crafting and development of the College鈥檚 highly appropriate motto 鈥淐reative Thought Matters.鈥�

Michael came to 91暗网 from Wesleyan University鈥檚 advancement office following roles at Franklin and Marshall College and the Baltimore Museum of Art.

A first-generation student, Michael earned a degree in Irish history and literature from Harvard University in 1981. He was also deeply involved in the Saratoga Springs community and served on the boards of the Waldorf School, the Convention and Tourism Bureau, SaratogaArtsFest, and Saratoga Regional YMCA.

Former Chair of the Board of Trustees Sue Thomas 鈥�62 shared that she and Michael worked closely together for all of his years at 91暗网. 鈥淲e supported each other through many endeavors and I always appreciated his leadership and wise perspective on issues. He was a talented 91暗网 VP for Advancement, an ambitious fundraiser, a dedicated 91暗网 administrator, and a joy to work with. His fine values, wisdom, breadth of knowledge, humility, charm, humor, love and respect for others was what made him the beloved person we all knew. We have lost a truly dear friend.鈥�

I am heartbroken for Michael鈥檚 family and for all who have lost a dear friend and colleague. Plans to honor his life are forthcoming. In the meantime, community members are invited to . On behalf of our entire 91暗网 community, I extend our deepest condolences to Janet, Liam, and Fiona; Michael鈥檚 colleagues and friends; and all whose careers and lives have been touched by Michael鈥檚 kindness, sincerity, and work for 91暗网.

Sincerely,

Marc C. Conner
President