News

The Stewart’s and Dake Family Opportunity Fund Established At Siena University

Siena University has received a transformational gift of $1 million from Stewart’s Shops and the Dake family to provide equity of experience for its students.

Susan Dake H’21, a Siena trustee emerita, together with Stewart’s Shops have established The Stewart’s and Dake Family Opportunity Fund to provide direct support to Siena students with demonstrated financial need to ensure they can fully participate in campus life.

Funds could be applied toward textbooks or academic supplies, laptops, experiential learning opportunities, travel to and from internships, or immersive experiences.

“This gift will ensure that more of our students can take advantage of the moments that will shape their education and their future,” said Siena President Charles F. “Chuck” Seifert, Ph.D. “We are deeply grateful to Susan Dake, to the Dake family, and to Stewart’s Shops for their generosity. I am humbled by their enduring belief in the transformative potential of a Siena education. Their leadership is a powerful reminder that when we invest in our students, it’s an investment in a more just and compassionate future.”

Siena will create a committee of campus partners to discuss how best to provide support for students through the Opportunity Fund.

“Making college accessible is important to the Dake family and Stewart’s,” said Susan Dake, President of the Stewart’s Foundation. “Tuition is a wonderful start, but there are many other expenses that students face. We want students to have the full college experience without worrying about essential expenses like textbooks and laptops.

“We like the idea of immediate use of our donations,” added Dake, who began her professional career as a teacher in the Saratoga Springs City School District. “Sometimes students just need help in the moment to stay on track. Being able to make things happen quickly can make all the difference. I think once students have an education – specifically a Siena education, which is really about training leaders to give back – that ties into Stewart’s commitment to make all of our communities stronger.”

Seifert said the concept of servant leadership is central to Siena’s Franciscan mission and clearly visible in the University’s graduates, many of whom go on to lead and serve throughout the Capital Region and beyond.