A new sports complex on campus gives our students more opportunities to plan, practice, and perform on all kinds of playing fields.
“I understand the value of NCAA Division III athletics in developing leadership and collaborative skills.”
That’s George Karpus ’68, a former Saints football player, as well as shot and discus thrower for track and field.
“The skills acquired from these sports have been instrumental to me for 38 years as an entrepreneur and business owner.”
He is the founder of Karpus Investment Management, a successful investment advisory firm, and has been a generous donor to the St. Lawrence Fund. A member of the Laurentian Leadership Society and the G. Atwood Manley Society, he also established the George W. Karpus ’68 Expendable Scholarship Fund.
“I am forever grateful to St. Lawrence.”
These are some of the reasons Karpus recently made a $5 million gift to the University.
The donation enables St. Lawrence to begin building a new Division III athletics facility on campus. This construction is the second phase of the Appleton Arena project. Historic Appleton Arena is home to the Saints’ NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs. After making major renovations, the University dedicated the first phases on February 8, 2020.
The generous donation from Karpus supports the expansion of the Michael “Buddy” Cornacchia ’74 Strength and Conditioning Center. This state-of-the art training facility will connect historic Appleton to the new Division III facility. The expanded Strength and Conditioning Center will accommodate D-III student athletes. Karpus’ gift is also key to building new spaces dedicated to the men’s and women’s lacrosse, field hockey, softball, and men’s and women’s rowing teams.
“This extraordinary investment in St. Lawrence Athletics demonstrates George’s lifelong commitment to the values of his alma mater,” said President William L. Fox ’75. “Derived from his own time on campus, we are deeply grateful for his vision to ensure the most positive experience in the lives of future student athletes using our magnificent facilities.”
The University has worked with global design firm HOK, one of the premier architectural companies for designing sports venues in North America, during the past three years. Plans and construction drawings were completed in 2018 and project costs are being updated. Fundraising will continue and once completed, construction will begin with a target date of Spring 2022.
The completion of the George W. Karpus ’68 Athletic Center at Appleton Arena will also positively impact the entire campus community. The University will revamp the current strength and conditioning space for student-athletes in the Stafford Fitness Center, allowing students, faculty, and staff access to a larger area.
Additional funding is needed to complete the Division III facility and donors now have new opportunities to name new, high visibility— and high-use—spaces.
For more information on naming opportunities and supporting the project, please contact Andy Whittier ’91, P’24, principal gifts officer and director of Athletic Development, at awhittier@stlawu.edu or 315-229-5511.