News
January 25, 2019UAlbany Athletics Receives $1 Million Gift
With a $1 million gift from a leading Capital Region financial executive, UAlbany will support a wide range of priorities within its Division 1 athletic program.
The gift from Class of 1974 graduate Daniel P. Nolan, president and CEO of Albany-based Hugh Johnson Advisors, LLC, will benefit student-athletes across UAlbany’s 18 varsity teams.
UAlbany Athletic Director Mark Benson said the flexibility afforded by the gift from Nolan, a longtime supporter of the University, will allow the athletic program to address key objectives, including the recruitment of top student-athletes and the creation of outstanding facilities.
“Dan has worked tirelessly for many years to help elevate our athletic program within the Capital Region and our alumni base,” said Mark Benson, director of athletics. “His generosity of time and resources allows us to greatly impact programs. We will utilize his gift to entice others to invest in Great Dane athletics.”
The fact that UAlbany’s athletic successes have drawn increasing attention from the University’s alumni is important to Nolan.
“The tremendous success of our programs in basketball, lacrosse, soccer and other sports has drawn national attention,” said Nolan. “That has increased the pride of our alumni and strengthened their connections to the University. UAlbany alumni possess valuable resources to offer our students — not only financial support but also internships and mentoring.”
Nolan was a partner for 28 years at Ayco Company, providing tax, investment and financial planning advice to its highest net worth clients. He founded its Special Investment Group and, after Ayco’s sale to Goldman Sachs in 2003, led the effort to integrate Ayco into Goldman Sachs’s Private Wealth Management practice. Since 2008, he has led Hugh Johnson Advisors, LLC.
Nolan chairs the advisory board of UAlbany’s Great Dane Athletic Club. In addition, he serves on the executive committee of UAlbany’s This Is Our Time campaign, which has now raised $109 million toward its $150 million goal.
One of the Capital Region’s most highly respected community leaders, Nolan served as chairman of the Board of Trustees for both The College of St. Rose and Albany Law School. In 2014 he was honored as UAlbany’s Community Laureate.
“Philanthropists don’t come any smarter, more thoughtful or more gracious than Dan Nolan,” said Vice President for Advancement Fardin Sanai. “Coming as it does from one of the most valued members of the Purple Family, his gift is a deeply meaningful statement of confidence in our athletic program and the University as a whole.”
