Long Walk Societies
Members of the Long Walk Societies make possible the full Trinity experience: rigorous academics, a beautiful campus, and a vibrant community that fosters lifelong learning and connections.
Long Walk membership sustains the excellence and possibilities that set Trinity apart and ensures a bright, sustainable future for generations to come.
Meet Long Walk Societies members Bryan and Abby (Samolis) Blake ’04
| “Increasing our support is our way of ensuring that Trinity continues to provide the same transformative experience for future generations.”
Today, their children proudly wear Bantam gear. Bryan and Abby are thankful that Trinity remains a community to which they feel deeply connected, through friendships and shared experiences. As longtime donors, Bryan and Abby’s philanthropic journey has evolved from a simple act of gratitude to a deeper commitment ensuring that future students can fully embrace the Trinity experience. For them, joining the Long Walk Societies felt like a natural next step as they celebrated their 20th Reunion. “Twenty years provided a chance to reflect on what Trinity means to us. Increasing our support is our way of ensuring that Trinity continues to provide the same transformative experience for future generations. Giving back has been a source of pride and fulfillment, and it’s rewarding to know that we are contributing to the continued success of an institution that has played such a pivotal role in our lives.” |
For Bryan Blake ’04, Trinity provided the ideal blend of academics and athletics, shaping his college experience. Abby (Samolis) Blake ’04 cherished the small-school environment, enriched by larger opportunities, including the Cities Program and studying abroad in Córdoba, Spain.We invite you to learn more about the impact of your gift and how your generosity will be recognized.
Long Walk Societies (LWS) Levels
IMPACT
Long Walk Societies gifts have an impact on virtually every aspect of academic and student life at Trinity. Long Walk contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as:
- Catalyst Summer Internship Fund, which provides first, second, and third year students with up to $3,500 for a full-time summer internship that is under-paid or unpaid
- Average cost to support a Trinity student-athlete for a season
- Access for four to six first-year students to one of Trinity’s pre-orientation programs, including the Quest Leadership Program, the P.R.I.D.E. program, and Insights into Hartford
- Uniforms, transportation, and meals for a club sports team for one season
- Supplies for a studio art class for a semester
- New computer in a computer lab with the tools for student research
- Red robes for 20 Trinity Chapel singers
- Bantam Bus passes for ten students for one semester’s transportation to and from the Liberal Arts Action Lab in downtown Hartford
RECOGNITION
Long Walk donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the Associate Vice President of Advancement
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
IMPACT
Jarvis contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as:
- The Summer Research Program, offering intensive student involvement in faculty-supervised research at Trinity during the summer, which covers the stipend for eight to ten weeks of research work as well as the cost of on-campus housing
- The Tech Edge Program, developed as part of the Trinity-Infosys Applied Learning Initiative, to provide students with the opportunity to acquire core skills in technology and business innovation, and to learn to thrive in the virtual workplace
- Subsidies for the Student Government Association’s budget for a semester
- Esteemed speakers visiting campus to meet with students and share insight from the professional world
- Registration fees for 10 students to attend a virtual conference where they will network, learn more about career opportunities, and build important professional skills
- Safety equipment for 50 students working in chemistry or biology labs
RECOGNITION
Jarvis donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the Associate Vice President of Advancement
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
- For Parents, Opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council at the Parent Chair Level
IMPACT
Chair’s Circle contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as:
- The chance to fund a financial aid term scholarship for a moderate need student (full commitment of $40,000 over four years)
- Study away opportunities in countries around the world including at the Trinity College Rome Campus, the College’s flagship study away program
RECOGNITION
Chair’s Circle donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the Associate Vice President of Advancement
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
- For Parents, Opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council at the Parent Chair Level
- Chance to Name a Financial Aid Term Scholarship, receive notification of the scholar, and learn about their Trinity experience
IMPACT
Northam contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as
- The chance to fund a financial aid term scholarship for a high need student (full commitment of $100,000 over four years)
RECOGNITION
Northam donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the President of the College
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
- Chance to Name a Financial Aid Term Scholarship, receive notification of the scholar, and learn about their Trinity experience
- End of the Year Report Showcasing How Philanthropy Makes a Difference on Campus
- For Parents, Opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council at the Parent Director Level
IMPACT
Summit contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as:
- Trinity’s greatest need through the Annual Fund
RECOGNITION
Summit donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the President of the College
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
- Chance to Name a Financial Aid Term Scholarship, receive notification of the scholar, and learn about their Trinity experience
- End of the Year Report Showcasing How Philanthropy Makes a Difference on Campus
- For Parents, Opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council at the Parent Director Level
- For Alumnae, Membership in the Marjorie Butcher Circle, which recognizes women’s philanthropic leadership
IMPACT
President’s Circle contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as:
- The opportunity to establish an endowed, named scholarship fund
RECOGNITION
President’s Circle donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the President of the College
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
- Chance to Establish a Named Endowed Fund and Receive Annual Reporting on the Fund
- End of the Year Report Showcasing How Philanthropy Makes a Difference on Campus
- For Parents, Opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council at the Parent Director Level
- For Alumnae, Membership in the Marjorie Butcher Circle which recognizes women’s philanthropic leadership
The Long Walk Societies extends a special invitation to young alumni classes through their 10th Reunion to join with a gift of $100 multiplied by the number of years since graduation.
1 year since graduation = $100
2 years since graduation = $200
3 years since graduation = $300
4 years since graduation = $400
5 years since graduation = $500
6 years since graduation = $600
7 years since graduation = $700
8 years since graduation = $800
9 years since graduation = $900
10 years since graduation = $1,000
Young alumni are encouraged to take a leadership role by joining the LWS and becoming a guiding force in the future of the College. All impact and recognition opportunities offered at the Long Walk level are also offered to LWS Young Alumni.
Meet Long Walk Societies member Sandy Jedziniak ’89, P’26, ‘26
| “My commitment to giving began with gratitude for the education I received as a full scholarship student, and over time it has evolved into a more intentional and collaborative form of philanthropy.”
Now, as the parent of Jade Mellitz ’26 and Lily Mellitz ’26, Sandy has had the rare privilege of experiencing Trinity across generations, watching her daughters engage and thrive with the same kind of thoughtful, interdisciplinary education that was so impactful for her. Sandy has always made it a priority to support Trinity. As her ability to give grew, she remained committed to that path and recently joined the Marjorie Butcher Circle, which recognizes women’s philanthropic leadership. Sandy says that supporting Trinity through the MBC has allowed her to honor the education she received, invest in women’s leadership, and help ensure that Trinity continues to provide transformative opportunities for students, just as it did for her. “I want my daughters to learn how to use their voices, how to decide where they want to be impactful, and to understand that giving is at the heart of meaningful change. My sustained involvement in women’s philanthropic leadership at Trinity has enabled me to model this powerful message for my daughters.” |
Trinity represented a formative period of intellectual and personal growth for Sandy Jedziniak ’89, P’26, ’26. Attending on a full scholarship, Sandy pursued a double major in psychology and biology (before the field was formally called neuroscience), while also being one of the students who helped establish what was then the Women’s Studies minor. The liberal arts environment encouraged Sandy not only to master content, but to learn how to think critically, independently, and with purpose across disciplines.Join the Long Walk Societies with a Monthly Recurring Gift
It is easy to join the LWS by becoming a Trinity GEM with monthly gifts. Set up recurring payments online.
Join the Long Walk Societies with a Matching Gift
Your employer may have a charitable matching gift program that increases your total gift at no cost to you. Gifts may be made in monthly or quarterly installments over the course of the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). For more information, visit the Matching Gift website.
→ Make your gift today.
Meet Long Walk Societies member Giovanni Jones ’21
| “I am incredibly proud to be connected to Trinity College and invested in its future. Supporting the College is both an expression of gratitude for what it gave me and a belief in what it will continue to provide for years to come.”
Trinity gave me a community that challenged me to grow. By participating in cultural organizations and student government, I had the opportunity to work alongside peers, faculty, administrators, and trustees toward something larger than myself. When the pandemic disrupted campus life, I was able to help establish emergency resources for students who needed support to continue their education remotely. I also contributed to the College’s COVID task force response. My involvement with the Umoja Coalition reinforced something I already believed: institutions grow stronger when every voice is heard. I give because Trinity made that kind of engagement possible for me. My hope is that the community continues to do the same for every student who arrives ready to contribute, and discovers, as I did, that they have more to offer than they ever imagined. |
Growing up in Hartford, Trinity was always a presence in my life. What I could not have anticipated was how profoundly my education would shape my sense of purpose and what I believed I could achieve.
Executive Director of Alumni, Family, and Reunion Giving
300 Summit St
Hartford, CT 06106
