100 Years of Living Generously

Click here to view a clip from the Mary Gilmore Smith birthday celebration video (requires Windows Media Player).
Click here to view the recognition of Mary Gilmore Smith at the launch of The Campaign for Syracuse University on November 2.

Mary Gilmore Smith ’29 G’38 has been doing a lot of celebrating. On November 1, more than 120 people helped Mary celebrate her 100th birthday with a surprise party at Drumlins. The following day, Mary was invited onstage at the kickoff event for the Campaign for Syracuse University, the most ambitious capital campaign in SU’s history. Mary was recognized as the alum with the longest record of giving to SU. 

Mary is a longtime SU/UC employee and an honorary member of Eta Pi Upsilon, the first University-based women’s honorary society in the U.S. It was Mary who suggested that Eta Pi’s Endowment Fund be directed toward women studying part-time through University College, and the Fund has since become the largest source of scholarships for UC students. Mary has the longest and largest giving history of any donor to the fund, and many alumni made gifts to honor Mary’s century of passionate living.

You can join them by making your own donation to the scholarship fund. Go to our online donor form and make a difference for a deserving student.

The center photo above, used in a special 41-cent stamp, was taken on Mary's 99th birthday.

Click her to return to University College's homepage.