Trinity College Names New Wellness and Recreation Center in Honor of Marlynn V. and William P. Scully ’61, H’18

The Trinity College Board of Trustees unanimously voted this past weekend to name its new state-of-the-art Wellness and Recreation Center the Scully Center in honor of Marlynn GP’28, ’29 and Bill Scully ’61, H’18, GP’28, ’29. The Scullys are lead donors to the project and lifelong supporters of the College.

The Scully Center, a major addition to the George M. Ferris Athletic Center, will serve as a dynamic hub for fitness, recreation, and wellness activities, providing students with the resources they need to thrive physically and mentally. It will be a cornerstone for fostering a vibrant and healthy campus community for years to come.

“Each fall, it is a delight to observe Bill Scully on campus watching our students in a range of athletic competitions,” said President Joanne Berger-Sweeney. “He believes athletics plays a very important role in the lives of undergraduates who choose to make sport a part of their college experience. In addition to endowing the men’s basketball coaching position and creating endowments for Trinity’s golf and football programs, Bill and Marlynn have also been passionate and generous contributors to student financial aid.”

The Scullys have established numerous scholarships in memory of former classmates and administrators, beginning by honoring those who were called to serve in the military during the 1960s.

As Bill sees it, doing so is a “three-for-one deal.” “When you do something like what we have done, you’re adding to the College endowment, you’re honoring these Trinity guys who have the scholarships named after them, and you’re giving a highly qualified student a chance to go to a great school.”

Bill feels strongly that he and fellow alums need to help lighten the burden today’s students have in financing their educations.

“The impact that Bill and Marlynn have had and will have for generations to come is profound,” said Lisa Bisaccia ’78, chair of the Board of Trustees. “What’s notable is that their focus has always been on honoring the sacrifices and contributions of others in the Trinity community. In voting to name the Wellness and Recreation Center for Bill and Marlynn, the board was thrilled to take initiative in honoring and thanking them.”

Now in the final stages of construction, the Scully Center will open fully this summer. “Scully,” as it no doubt will be known, will stand as a fitting tribute to Bill and Marlynn’s deep connection to the College and their enduring love of the Trinity community.

After a successful investment management career culminating in the founding of Twin Oaks Partners, a performance-based hedge fund, the Scullys retired to Vero Beach, Florida. During his time at Trinity, Bill earned a B.A. in economics and was active in Alpha Delta Phi, the Sophomore Dining Club, and the varsity basketball and golf teams. He continued his studies at New York University. The couple has four children and several grandchildren, including Kelsey Scully ’28 and Carlynn Strobeck ’29. In 2018, Bill was awarded an honorary degree from Trinity in recognition of his immeasurable contributions to both his alma mater and the broader alumni community. Bill and Marlynn have relished their philanthropic pursuits together and given magnanimously to the fields of education, health care, and the arts.