By Lisa James

Georges Donate Largest Alumni Gift Ever

 

She could type and he had a car. That was the beginning of a Depression-era romance that blossomed at the New York State College for Teachers six decades ago and led to the marriage of Frances Gildea, B.S.’38, M.S.’42, and Edward George, B.A.’38, M.A.’40. The University, the Georges said, “gave us our start in life and each other.”        In gratitude, they recently gave the University $1 million— the largest alumni gift in the University’s history.        To acknowledge the Georges’ generosity, the University named in their honor the building on the East Campus in Rensselaer County which houses the School of Public Health. It is the first University building to be named after donors. The University also recognized the Georges in 1992 by naming a 500-seat amphitheater-style learning facility on the main campus as the Edward S. and Frances Gildea George Lecture Center.        At an East Campus announcement ceremony last November, President Karen R. Hitchcock said the building naming reflected the Georges’ commitment to and support for the University.        “They met, and fell in love with each other and with the school,” she said. “There have been many changes in their lives, but their love for each other and support for Albany never changed.”        Ed is now retired from the U.S. Postal Service and Frances is a retiree of the New York State Department of Social Services. Both also earned master’s degrees at the University, and Ed received an Ed.D. from Columbia University. They now reside primarily in Lake Wales, Fla.        The Georges followed the path of many University alumni. They got married, continued their education, and took government jobs. However, one thing made them atypical. In 1937 a friend suggested that Ed invest in North European Oil, then selling for 12 cents a share. Ed borrowed $200 from a credit union and invested.        Although, as Ed says, there was no oil in northern Europe, there were oceans of natural gas. After World War II, he sold his shares for $4,000 (They would be worth about $2.5 million if he still had them, Ed said.), and began investing seriously in the stock market. His investments paid off well enough to allow them to retire in the 1970s.        The Georges have contributed both in and out of academe. When she worked for the Department of Social Services, Frances was instrumental in starting the state’s food stamp program. In addition to his work with the Postal Service, Ed also taught high school mathematics and science.        At last fall’s announcement ceremony, Frances said, “The University at Albany is a beacon of light for future generations.” She added that the building will include her maiden name of Gildea to honor her father, who had no male heirs. Ed said they decided to give the million-dollar-gift because they believe in the power of education. “We are giving our todays so someone else can have a better tomorrow.”        An official naming ceremony will be held this spring. The Edward S. and Frances Gildea George Education Center, a 102,000-square-foot facility which used to be part of the Sterling Winthrop pharmaceutical complex, includes seven classrooms, four computer rooms, a library, a video conferencing room, fiber-optic communications link, faculty offices, workspace for staff and students, and an auditorium.        The University at Albany Foundation purchased the East Campus in 1996, with a $5 million State Economic Development grant obtained through the assistance of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno of Brunswick.        The East Campus has become a significant education, research, and technology center, with major focuses on public health, research, and biotechnology. Among the businesses located there are Albany Molecular Research, Inc., VEC Technologies, Taconic Biotechnology, Greenbush Associates, Creative Insights, and Morozov Enterprises International.