Historic campaign sets stage for success of future generations

Trinity College’s All In campaign, which came to a close on June 30, 2025, was a transformative effort that raised $438,995,922 in support of the College’s most critical priorities. This achievement was driven by people and designed for people—reflecting the unwavering commitment of alumni, families, and friends who believe in the power of a Trinity education. Their generosity has strengthened the institution at a pivotal moment, ensuring that as Trinity enters its third century, it does so with renewed purpose, enduring stability, and a bold vision for the future.

Former President Joanne Berger-Sweeney, whose 11-year tenure also ended on that same date in June, says she considers All In to be more than a campaign. “It was a collective act of belief in Trinity’s future,” she says. “It would not have been possible without the tens of thousands of alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends who gave generously and wholeheartedly. On behalf of Trinity College, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who went all in for this extraordinary effort.”

N. Louis Shipley ’85, Kathryn Tyree ’86, Shay Ajayi ’16, and John Howard ’74 serve as judges for January 2024’s Summit Innovation Challenge, an annual Shark Tank-style competition led by Trinity’s Entrepreneurship Center, with Tyree Fellows pitching their inventions.

 

Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Peter Duncan ’81, P’13, ’14, Elissa Raether Kovas ’93, P’25, and Bill Scully ’61, H’18, GP’28, ’29 commemorate the opening of the new Wellness and Recreation Center—now named the Scully Center—with a ribbon cutting in April 2025.

 

The opportunity of a Trinity education

The All In campaign has made remarkable progress in laying the foundation for Trinity’s future—through strengthened financial aid endowments and robust support for the Trinity College Fund. This foundation is essential; without it, nothing else is possible. With an expanding endowment restricted to financial aid and an unrestricted fund that continues to grow year after year, the path ahead is full of promise.

Campus community members prepare for a hands-on garden cleanup during Orientation 2024, part of the “Sustainable Trinity, Sustainable Hartford” program.

“Trinity has offered me an environment defined by involvement and connection, one that has pushed me to elevate my academic discipline through curiosity and rigor. Trinity’s liberal arts framework gave me the freedom to pursue ideas beyond my comfort zone, prompting unexpected academic interests that have since become central to my studies. Every alum I’ve spoken with has been thoughtful and sincerely engaged in learning about my experience. Through those conversations and daily life on campus, I’ve built relationships that continue to shape my growth and perspective at Trinity.” – Owen Petropulos ’28

Students take part in the immersive and intensive Tuck Business Bridge program—run in partnership with the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and made possible by the Raether Family Charitable Trust—during J-Term 2025. Participant Emma Baskin ’27 says she considers her involvement to be “an incredibly exciting and defining moment in my Trinity experience.” The film studies and public policy and law major says, “I’ve often found myself navigating between creative storytelling and critical thinking, and Bridge gave me the tools to bring those two worlds together in a whole new way. I found it very empowering to dive into finance, economics, marketing, and strategy in such a fast-paced environment, especially coming from a non-business background.”

“As a first-generation college student, navigating college hasn’t always been easy, but Trinity has truly transformed me. Thanks to the support of the Bancroft Family Scholarship and the Henry Mallari D’Auria ’83 Scholarship, I’ve been able to fully dedicate myself to academic and personal growth. Majoring in political science, I’ve developed a deep interest in corporate law and cybersecurity, and Trinity has given me the tools and confidence to turn that vision into a career.” – Abdoul Diallo ’26

 

“The opportunity to attend Trinity was made possible by the generosity of those who came before me—supporters of the Trinity Fund and financial aid. Their investment changed my life. My leadership in this campaign is a way to honor that legacy and help pave the way for future generations.” Trustee Henry Mallari-D’Auria ’83, All In Co-Chair

Living and learning at Trinity

Today’s students are eager for immersive experiences that not only prepare them for a dynamic and evolving workforce but also shape their personal growth and perspective. Experiential learning—whether through research, internships, or global study—strengthens critical and independent thinking, enriches classroom education, and opens doors to new possibilities. Through this campaign, Trinity has significantly expanded both the scope and accessibility of these transformational opportunities through the Trinity Plus curriculum. From summer research projects and competitive internships to study-away programs across the globe, our students are exploring the world and their place in it. These experiences are redefining what it means to live and learn at Trinity, and they will leave a lasting impact on generations to come.

A first-year student takes part in Orientation 2024’s Invention, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship program, part of a suite of entrepreneurship opportunities at Trinity. The Tyree Innovation Fellowship (TIF) program aims to equip first- and second-year students with the fundamental skills to cultivate entrepreneurial and innovative mindsets that are essential to grow and succeed in their postcollege career. Ralston Raphael ’27, a second-year Tyree Fellow who won the Tyree Innovation Fellowship Award at Honors Day 2025, said that the two-year program had a “tremendous impact” on him. “My passion for entrepreneurship is fueled by a love of solving hard problems, building businesses, and exploring the venture capital space,” Raphael says. “TIF has helped me take meaningful steps toward those goals.

 

“The All In campaign is a testament to the power of a Trinity liberal arts education. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and families, the campaign will enhance academic excellence and Trinity’s national reputation. From investing in the Trinity Plus curriculum, including internships, research experiences, global engagement seminars, student-facing leadership, new entrepreneurship offerings, and innovative J-Term opportunities, to advancing faculty development, the campaign will impact the core of our students’ academic experiences and Trinity’s capacity to recruit and support exceptional faculty for generations.” – Sonia Cardenas, Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs

“Today’s Trinity students have educational opportunities that distinctively combine exposure to outstanding faculty with various real-world, for-credit experiences. Thanks to the success of this campaign, our students now have the resources they need to access customized internship and entrepreneurship/innovation experiences beyond the classroom—preparing them for life after Trinity, both academically and professionally.” Trustee Dave Schnadig ’86, All In Co-Chair

 

“The All In campaign is a testament to the power of a Trinity liberal arts education. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and families, the campaign will enhance academic excellence and Trinity’s national reputation. From investing in the Trinity Plus curriculum, including internships, research experiences, global engagement seminars, student-facing leadership, new entrepreneurship offerings, and innovative J-Term opportunities, to advancing faculty development, the campaign will impact the core of our students’ academic experiences and Trinity’s capacity to recruit and support exceptional faculty for generations.”

Sonia Cardenas, Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs

 

Other Trinity Plus opportunities:

The Kauff Jacobson and Schnadig Fellows Programs and the Catalyst Summer Internship Fund provide internship opportunities to students, allowing them to develop industry-related skills and invaluable professional and nonprofit experience.

The Danny Meyer Global Engagement Endowment offers students access to global engagement seminars on Trinity’s Rome Campus, giving every student the opportunity to have the transformative experience of studying abroad.

The Joanne Berger-Sweeney Summer Research Fund in the Sciences gives students the chance to collaborate with faculty members on research projects during the summer. Through the Summer Research Program, students receive a stipend and on-campus housing.

Leadership and innovation

From faculty to coaches to staff, every member of our community leaves a profound and lasting impact on our students. Thanks to this campaign, that tradition will endure for generations to come. Investing in people is essential to the success of any liberal arts institution. Our faculty, staff, and leaders are not just representatives of our mission—they are our mission. They are our greatest differentiator and the heart of our community. Through this campaign, we have secured critical resources to recruit and retain top talent and to ensure that our human enterprise continues to thrive. Our people make this place so extraordinary—and they will continue to distinguish us in an ever-changing world.

Ruane Family Executive Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Danny Briere, standing, whose position was endowed by the Ruane family during the campaign, collaborates with students in fall 2022. Photo by Joanna Chattman
Ben Carbonetti, director of the Human Rights Studies Program and senior lecturer in human rights studies, teaches a class in spring 2025. Support from Everett Elting Jr. ’58, P’85, ’87 and wife Joanne P’85, ’87 allowed the hiring of the program’s first endowed faculty member, Christina Heatherton, associate professor of American studies and Everett and Joanne Elting Associate Professor for Human Rights and Global Citizenship.
Marlynn V. and William P. Scully Head Men’s Basketball Coach James Cosgrove speaks with players during the 2024 season. In 2025, the team won its first-ever NCAA Division III National Championship. Cosgrove, who was selected as the 2025 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III Coach of the Year, led the Bantams to a 30–3 record and their second straight New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championship.
Associate Professor of Mathematics Kirsti Kuenzel works with a student in an abstract algebra class in fall 2024. The All In campaign raised critical funds to support faculty development.
“Through the All In campaign, we have made tremendous strides in supporting Trinity’s greatest asset—our people. Trinity stands apart for attracting top talent across disciplines, and our students benefit for a lifetime. We are deeply grateful to all who have invested in their continued success.” Former Board of Trustees Chair Cornie P. Thornburgh ’80, H’22, All In Co-Chair

 

All In moments

Trustee Emeritus Douglas T. Tansill ’61, P’91, ’96 and former board chairs Cornie P. Thornburgh ’80, H’20 and Paul E. Raether ’68, H’14, P’93, ’96, ’00, GP’25 attend the launch of the campaign in November 2023 at Gotham Hall in New York City.
Former Board of Trustees Chair Tom Johnson ’62, H’05, P’97, right, and wife Ann Johnson P’97 celebrate 50 years of Trinity’s Rome Campus in March 2023. Photo by Giulio Paravani
Siblings Peter L. Borges ’80, Joaquina Borges King, Francesca Borges Gordon ’82, Maria Borges Correia ’85, and Francisco L. “Frank” Borges ’74 attend the April 2023 dedication ceremony of The Manuel and Maria Luisa Lopes Borges Admissions Center—also known as The Borges Admissions Center—named in honor of their parents.
Liz Elting ’87 attends her book-signing party—and celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Elizabeth Elting Foundation Venture Conference—in April 2024.

Heartfelt thanks

“As this extraordinary campaign comes to a close, I am filled with immense gratitude—particularly for the unwavering dedication of our Campaign Executive Committee. Your generous commitment of both time and treasure has been instrumental in bringing this bold vision to life. Because of your leadership, countless Bantams—today and for generations to come—will benefit from the opportunities made possible through this campaign.

“On behalf of former President Joanne Berger-Sweeney, our Board of Trustees, and the Executive Committee, I also want to celebrate the remarkable work of Trinity’s Advancement team. Their energy, skill, and determination carried us forward every step of the way. They inspired us, rallied us, and reminded us what’s possible when we’re all in.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

Lisa Bisaccia ’78, Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees

By the numbers

Total contributions $438,995,922
Number of donors 26,857
Gifts through the Trinity College Fund $74,712,786
Gifts for endowment $109,434,121
New bequest intentions $96,638,737

Campaign Executive Committee 2017–25

Sophie Bell Ayres ’77, P’12
President Joanne Berger-Sweeney
Lisa G. Bisaccia ’78
Jennifer L. Blum ’88
Diane DePatie Consoli ’88, P’19, ’22
James W. Cuminale ’75, P’09
William E. Cunningham Jr. ’87, P’19, ’21
Peter S. Duncan ’81, P’13, ’14
Steven A. Elmendorf ’82
Elizabeth Elting ’87
Eric Scott Estes ’91*
Walter L. Harrison ’68, H’18
Jeffrey Brooks Hawkins ’92
Susannah Smetana Kagan ’91
Jeffrey E. Kelter ’76, P’18
Elissa A. Raether Kovas ’93, P’25
Malcolm Fraser MacLean IV ’92
Henry S. Mallari-D’Auria ’83
Carolyn A. Pelzel ’74
David L. Schnadig ’86
Louis Shipley ’85
Jamie Tracey Szal ’06
Douglas T. Tansill ’61, P’91, ’96
William G. Thomas III ’86, P’20
Cornelia Parsons Thornburgh ’80, H’22
Kelli J. Tomlinson ’94
Rhea Pincus Turteltaub ’82
Kathryn George Tyree ’86
Timothy J. Walsh ’85, P’15
Damian W. Wilmot ’97, P’25

*Deceased

Photos by Nick Caito unless otherwise noted.