Regents Approve New Name for Paul Smith’s College

The New York State Board of Regents today gave its approval to a proposal from Paul Smith’s College to add the name of philanthropist and former Paul Smith’s Chair Joan Weill alongside that of the founding family, creating Joan Weill-Paul Smith’s College.

The proposal, which also requires approval from the state court system, is made in conjunction with a transformational naming gift pledge from Weill and her husband, Sanford, the retired chairman of CitiGroup.

Paul Smith’s President Cathy S. Dove said:

“We thank the Board of Regents for their support and are hopeful that the court will also agree that our acceptance of the Weill family’s naming gift is appropriate and best for the long-term future of the college. The Weills’ support will provide a stabilizing financial foundation for the college at a very uncertain time in higher education. It will ensure that we can retain and promote the core values and academic experiences inspired by Phelps Smith’s gift and embodied by our students and faculty since 1946.”