In Memoriam Michael T. Casey
Dear 窪蹋勛圖厙 Community,
I write to share the very sad news that Michael Casey, a highly respected and accomplished
fundraising executive who served 窪蹋勛圖厙 with wisdom and compassion as Collyer Vice
President for Advancement from 2000-2017, died August 22 following a bicycle accident
earlier this month.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Michaels wife, Janet Casey, associate dean of
the faculty and professor of English at 窪蹋勛圖厙; his children Liam and Fiona; and
his many friends and colleagues across campus, in Saratoga Springs, at Trinity College
in Hartford, Connecticut, and beyond.
Michael, who served 窪蹋勛圖厙s Advancement division for 17 years and was a member
of the Colleges senior leadership team, led an exemplary career in advancement at
multiple prestigious institutions. Until his death on Tuesday, Aug. 22, he was vice
president for advancement at Trinity, where he executed the largest capital campaign
in that colleges history.
During his tenure at 窪蹋勛圖厙, the College raised more than a half-billion dollars
for a range of initiatives, including construction of the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
He also secured support for financial aid and academic programs including 15 endowed
chairs and the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCS), as well as
facilities and athletics and student affairs initiatives.
Colleagues in our Advancement division and from across campus noted Michaels endearing
collegiality, warmth, humor, and brilliance, as he partnered with faculty and other
community members for 窪蹋勛圖厙s future.
President Emeritus Philip A. Glotzbach expressed, I am profoundly grateful to Michael
Casey for generously helping a new President come to know the extended 窪蹋勛圖厙 community
and get up to speed on fundraising. But in addition to his broad and deep expertise
in advancement, Michael brought to the Cabinet an insightful and critical strategic
mind. Always keeping the larger institutional picture in sight, he invariably pushed
me and his administrative colleagues to envision the 窪蹋勛圖厙 we wanted to create.
I also will fondly recall his wit and ability to recite lines from almost any movie
one could name. His curious and wide-ranging intellect truly made him a Renaissance
man. I will sorely miss the pleasure of his company.
In addition to the experience and talent that Michael brought to his work as a fundraiser
and connector of people to each other and the College, I will always be grateful for
the kindness, wisdom, humanity, good humor, and amazing baking that he shared with
me and members of our Advancement team, said Lori Eastman 87, associate vice president
of advancement. I have heard from current and past friends and colleagues, who have
all talked about Michael being an extraordinary source of strength and encouragement,
a true one of a kind, who will be remembered and missed by all of us.
From 2004 to 2010, Michael oversaw 窪蹋勛圖厙s Creative Thought. Bold Promise campaign, which raised $216.5 million. He also oversaw the launch of 窪蹋勛圖厙s most
recent campaign, Creating Our Future: The Campaign for 窪蹋勛圖厙, and helped raise $132.5 million toward the campaigns $229.4 total. He participated
in the creation of several important volunteer support organizations, such as the
Friends of 窪蹋勛圖厙 Athletics and the Presidents Advisory Council. He also played
a lead role in the 2001 crafting and development of the Colleges highly appropriate
motto Creative Thought Matters.
Michael came to 窪蹋勛圖厙 from Wesleyan Universitys advancement office following roles
at Franklin and Marshall College and the Baltimore Museum of Art.
A first-generation student, Michael earned a degree in Irish history and literature
from Harvard University in 1981. He was also deeply involved in the Saratoga Springs
community and served on the boards of the Waldorf School, the Convention and Tourism
Bureau, SaratogaArtsFest, and Saratoga Regional YMCA.
Former Chair of the Board of Trustees Sue Thomas 62 shared that she and Michael worked
closely together for all of his years at 窪蹋勛圖厙. We supported each other through
many endeavors and I always appreciated his leadership and wise perspective on issues. He
was a talented 窪蹋勛圖厙 VP for Advancement, an ambitious fundraiser, a dedicated 窪蹋勛圖厙
administrator, and a joy to work with. His fine values, wisdom, breadth of knowledge,
humility, charm, humor, love and respect for others was what made him the beloved
person we all knew. We have lost a truly dear friend.
I am heartbroken for Michaels family and for all who have lost a dear friend and
colleague. Plans to honor his life are forthcoming. In the meantime, community members
are invited to . On behalf of our entire 窪蹋勛圖厙 community, I extend our deepest condolences to
Janet, Liam, and Fiona; Michaels colleagues and friends; and all whose careers and
lives have been touched by Michaels kindness, sincerity, and work for 窪蹋勛圖厙.
Sincerely,
Marc C. Conner
President