Davenport Society celebrates philanthropy, welcomes new members
The Davenport Society recognizes alumni and friends whose philanthropy provides enduring support for Trulaske. Today, the society includes 1,153 members whose cumulative giving to the college totals more than $184 million.
“Those numbers tell an impressive story, but the real impact is visible in the lives of students,” said Chuck Hutchins, 2026 Davenport Society chair. “Your generosity helps turn potential into purpose.”
This year, the society welcomed 11 new members: Donald and Susan Danner, Dave and Sally Dannov, Fred and Renee Dockweiler, Rhonda Orin Eisenstein, Katie and Aaron Flynn, Heather Hanson, John and Laurie Laughlin, Melanie Montgomery, Mike Mouser, Colby and Kelly Tanner, and Scott Underwood and Marissa Rosser. Ginger Bryant and Bruce and Pam Walker were also recognized for advancing to new levels of Davenport Society membership.
The evening highlighted the connection between philanthropy and the student experience at Trulaske. Over the past three years, alumni, friends and industry partners have generated $20.8 million in gift activity, supporting opportunities ranging from scholarships and career preparation to hands-on learning, entrepreneurship and transformative technology.
Dean Balaji Rajagopalan said the evening celebrates the people behind that impact.
“This gathering is always one of the most meaningful evenings of the year because it celebrates something fundamental to who we are as a college: people who believe deeply in our students and choose to invest in their future,” Rajagopalan said.
That impact was brought to life by student speaker John Otto, a junior studying finance, statistics and journalism. Otto shared how experiences at Trulaske — including the Cornell Leadership Program, the Allen Angel Capital Education Venture Fund and an internship with the Securities and Exchange Commission — have expanded his understanding of what he can accomplish.
But Otto told Davenport members that people, more than any individual program, have made the greatest difference in his Trulaske experience.
“The Davenport Society does that same kind of planting, just across an entire college, generation after generation, in ways that reach far more students than any of us will ever get to meet,” Otto said.
He closed with a message of gratitude to the donors whose investments help make those experiences possible.
“Thank you for investing in us, for opening doors we didn’t know existed and for helping us discover who we’re capable of becoming.”