Greg Casagrande ’85 celebrates the Colgate Day of Impact with inspiring women micro-entrepreneurs on Guadalcanal.

As part of the Colgate Day of Impact, the Presidents’ Club and the Common Good Network are pleased to present the first-ever Colgate Impact Award to Greg Casagrande ’85. The Colgate Impact award recognizes a member of the Colgate community who has shown exemplary leadership in working toward the Common Good.

Greg is the Founder of SPBD Microfinance Network, the leading microfinance institution in the South Pacific. Through SPBD, Greg has provided over $60million in micro-enterprise financing plus small business training to over 40,000 poor but aspiring women micro-entrepreneurs in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and the Solomons Islands. Greg is also the founder of MicroDreams, a microfinance acceleration fund and Transformative Ventures LLC, a Microfinance advisory company.

“I am especially proud that we have found a way to work directly with poor but aspiring women to provide them with meaningful economic opportunity so that they can grab onto a rung of the economic ladder and begin to pull themselves and their families permanently out of poverty.   I’m equally proud that we have also developed a model that enables us to replicate and scale these efforts so that we can provide the proverbial “hand-up” and make a positive impact for tens of thousands of families,” Greg said.

Greg has served as a director on several microfinance-industry boards including: the International Association of Microfinance Investors (of NY), Microfinance Pasifika (of Fiji), and Planet Finance (of Paris). He also serves as a Board member for Plebys (of Irvine, CA) a “Base of the Pyramid” investment fund and Water Health International (of NY), an affordable clean drinking water solution marketed in India and West Africa.

Greg was named “Person of the Year” in the Pacific Island nation of Samoa for his work in empowering poor families in that country, was honored to be a United Nations Global Advisor for Microfinance and was awarded the “Singapore Global Social Entrepreneur” Prize.

“When I first learned about the Impact Award, I immediately thought of Greg,” said Amy Everett DiSibio ’86 P’18, Vice Chair of the Presidents’ Club. “Greg has made a global impact through his work and has inspired so many people to pursue a life of service. He gives back generously, not only to Colgate, but throughout the world and he exemplifies both leadership and impact, which are key values of the Colgate Presidents’ Club.”

Greg also promotes hi-tech entrepreneurship and was a founding director of the Ice Angels, Australasia’s largest angel investor group and serves as Chairman/Director of three New Zealand software firms: Biomatters Ltd, Cumulo9 Ltd and English-To-Go Ltd.

Greg’s experience at Colgate inspired him to pursue a life of service. Greg worked with homeless men in DC during his Freshman January term, worked as an aide to a member of the British Parliament in London in his Junior year and remembers fondly engaging in deep philosophical conversation with Professor Hunt Terrell in an International Ethics course in his Senior year.

“Colgate gave me the confidence to think for myself and to have the courage to follow my own path and definition of success.  For that and for the enduring lifelong friendships that I made at Colgate, I am very grateful.”

Greg will receive his award at a future on-campus event.

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This was written by Zoe Smith ’17, a consultant in Colgate’s Writing and Speaking Center as advice for those interested in writing a letter to the editor as part of the Day of Impact initiative.

Writing a letter to a newspaper editor is a great way to raise awareness about an issue, advocate for a cause, or simply publicly express your opinion about an important person, program, event, or idea. Writing a letter is a great first step towards promoting change within a community. If you’ve always wanted to do so but never know where to start, look no further. Here is a list of the fundamental aspects that make a successful letter to an editor.

1.  Know your audience – Think about your audience as the person you are specifically addressing in the letter. Yes, your letter will be read by a broader audience if published, but these public readers will judge your letter based on how appropriately it addresses the editor, and how successfully it negotiates the issue. So focus on empathizing with the editor and appealing to their values.
2.  Grab the reader’s attention – Just as with any introduction to a piece of writing, your letter’s opening is extremely important. It should grab the reader’s attention and introduce the topic of your letter in a way that makes them want to read more.
3.  Establish your argument – State your argument clearly, quickly, and simply. Your argument should be more than an observation; it should consist of a specific claim you’re making about a relevant issue.
4.  Explain its importance – Although the purpose of your letter may seem obvious to you, the general public may not hold the same understanding or awareness of your concern. Explicitly state the importance and magnitude of your argument. Use language that is clear, straightforward and easy to understand.
5.  Discuss your desired outcome – State your opinion regarding what should be done about the issue. In order for your letter to be most powerful, propose solutions rather than simply “venting.” Suggest realistic steps that can be taken by whomever you are addressing.
6.  Be concise – Stay focused and to-the-point. In general, shorter letters have a better chance of being published. Shorter letters are also more comprehendible to the reader because they present their argument in a clear and succinct manner.

Remember these tips and you are bound to write a powerful letter! Other final details include the following:

Addressing the letter: “Dear Editor” or “To the Editor of The New York Times,” for example,is sufficient. If you specifically know the editor’s name, use it–this may increase the chances of your letter being read.

Signing the letter: There is no need to write “Sincerely” or “Yours truly” at the conclusion of your letter; simply enter two spaces at the end of the letter and sign your name and city or address.

Sending the letter: Send your letter electronically, either in an email to the editor or submitted through a designated online forum on the publication’s website. Avoid sending your letter through the mail as it will then have to be typed on the computer before it can be published.

With these simple tips in mind there is no doubt your letter will be published. So next time you feel strongly about an issue in a publication, sit down, grab this guide, and start writing.

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Since 1967, the Office of Undergraduate Studies (OUS) has supported students who have demonstrated creativity, intellect, and determination in the face of significant economic, educational, personal, and social challenges.

“OUS represents Colgate at its very best,” said Frank Frey, director of OUS. “Our students embrace challenges and surpass them, effect change in our local community and across the globe, are involved in groundbreaking research, and are leaders in the classroom and student organizations.” Read more

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Curtiss Frank ’25 addresses Presidents’ Club members during the organization’s first celebration at the Waldorf Astoria

This year, Colgate is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Presidents’ Club with events around the country, including two distinct events in New York City. “We want Presidents’ Club members everywhere to be able to celebrate this very special Colgate milestone,” said Debbie Duarte ’81 P’15, chair of the Presidents’ Club Events Committee.

The Presidents’ Club 50th Anniversary Reception for Recent Alumni (2005–2014) will be held on Monday, April 20, 7–10 p.m., at The Standard, High Line. Trustee Lee Woodruff ’82, P’13 will provide remarks.

“You are immediately reminded of the full reach and scope of the Colgate alumni network when you attend a Presidents’ Club event,” said Martha Engh ’12. “Whether you’re in an intimate setting or a large reception, accessibility to industry leaders is unparalleled, and it never feels like networking when conversations are peppered with Broad Street stories and memories of the Jug. Colgate does an incredible job of seeking out unique settings for alumni to come together and connect, and I look forward to spending this year’s 50th anniversary at The Standard!”

On Monday, May 4, Presidents’ Club alumni members in class years 1939–2005, parents, and friends will gather for the 50th Anniversary Gala at the Waldorf Astoria. The cocktail reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a formal dinner and program at 7 p.m., with dancing at 8:30 p.m. Tom Bartlett GP’15, Colgate’s eleventh president, will provide remarks.

Any recent alumnus (2005–2014) who contributes $1,000 or more annually will receive an invitation to both events.

Presidents’ Club 50th Anniversary Celebrations were held in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco earlier this year and are being planned for Philadelphia (March 26), Boston (May 19), and Los Angeles. Information about the Presidents’ Club, including giving levels, can be found at colgate.edu/presidentsclub.

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The Presidents’ Club began in 1965 with 93 members and has grown during the past five decades to include more than 3,600 members of the Colgate community. As membership has grown, so has the impact on campus. In its first year, Presidents’ Club members raised $347,469 for Colgate, and last year members raised $36,755,795. In 50 years, Presidents’ Club members have contributed more than half a billion dollars to support the university.

Patty Caprio, senior advancement executive at Colgate, has been involved with the Presidents’ Club throughout the decades. “The Presidents’ Club has been the ship that has guided Colgate through the past five decades and garnered the talents and treasures of Colgate’s most influential and philanthropic donors,” she said. “It has been the bond for many alumni, parents, and friends.”

Read more

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Colgate students lend a hand during a service learning trip to St. Kitts and Nevis, sponsored by the Max A. Shacknai COVE

This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Max A. Shacknai Center for Outreach Volunteerism and Education (COVE).

“Cocurricularly with the academic experience, the Max Shacknai COVE is one place on campus where students are able to work in the community as equal partners with neighbors toward social change outcomes and increased capacity for all parties,” said Krista Saleet, COVE director. “The goal is to promote an ethic of lifelong service and social responsibility for our graduates through ongoing direct service opportunities, alternative break service trips, service-learning courses, and critical reflection exercises.” Read more

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For generations, Colgate has fostered a sense of civic responsibility and leadership in the classroom and around the world. It’s even in Colgate’s mission statement: “Those who lead are obligated to help others in need.” In the spirit of this commitment, the Presidents’ Club, in partnership with the Common Good Professional Network and the Office of Alumni Relations, invites you to participate in the Colgate Day of Impact on Colgate Day, Friday, March 13.

Amy Everett DiSibio ’86, P’18, vice chair of the Presidents’ Club, feels it is important for the organization to help lead this effort. “Colgate alumni realize that EVERY community — whether it be a large city or a rural college campus — needs support in order to thrive. Time, talent, and money given by community members make the foundation of a strong and happy community.” Read more

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