40 for the Climb — Jamie Foley
First person impact

Jamie Foley ’94 now holds a special place in Colgate history. He’s the first alumnus to step forward and accept the university’s 40 for the Climb challenge.

President Jeffrey Herbst launched 40 for the Climb: Financial Aid at Colgate during an event in New York City on September 17. He announced that nearly 100 alumni, parents, and friends have collectively offered $20 million toward scholarship resources, encouraging the rest of the Colgate community to match their generosity and bring the total to $40 million before the university’s Passion for the Climb campaign closes on June 30, 2012.

During the event, keynote speaker Leigh Anne Tuohy told the audience, “If we have it and we can give, it is our responsibility to give.” Foley has taken that sentiment to heart. The former history major, Beta Theta Pi member, and current president of CAT equipment retailer Foley, Inc. is intent on sharing some of his professional success with his alma mater.

Joining the challenge fulfilled that objective in two ways. “It’s a great way to give back to Colgate while providing students with an opportunity to do something they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do,” he said.

Foley’s memories of Colgate revolve around relationships with professors, classmates, and friends. While on campus, he also learned the lessons he needed to become a top executive in the family business — to make Foley, Inc. an industry leader. His social and academic development took place in an environment that churned with activity, whether it was in the classroom, in faculty office hours, at his fraternity, through the Newman Community, or elsewhere around the hill. He thinks of his gift as a return on that investment of time and effort.

“It’s a virtuous circle,” Foley said. “If we’re able to give back to the school, the school is able to provide aid to students, who then give back and make Colgate an even better place,” he said.

As Passion for the Climb draws to a close, Herbst has made financial aid a top priority for his administration. Greater access increases the quality of the Colgate experience by welcoming diverse voices into classroom conversations. The campaign has already generated $87.5 million for scholarships; a successful challenge will boost that number to $127.5 million and significantly alter the admission landscape.

“It’s an exciting time for Colgate,” said Foley. “This challenge gives me a chance to help the university thrive as it looks toward the future. I’m excited to be able to participate.”