HVCC Foundation Honors Don Fane, Raises Funds for Applied Technology Education Center at Annual Gala
The Hudson Valley Community College Foundation hosted its annual Gala on Friday, Oct. 14 2022 at the Franklin Plaza ballroom in Troy. Callanan Industries President Don Fane was honored at the event with the 2022 Foundation Leadership Award, in recognition of his service and dedication to the college and greater community.
Fane is a longtime supporter, former student and former trustee of Hudson Valley Community College. Throughout his career, he has made a point of giving back to the college and the community through various philanthropic efforts and initiatives aimed at helping students succeed.
In 2014, under Fane’s leadership, Callanan donated equipment and funds to establish the Callanan Industries, Inc. Construction Materials Lab at Hudson Valley for students in the Construction and Civil Engineering Technology programs. In 2019, the company’s donation created the Callanan Industries Student Support Fund to assist students enrolled in the college’s Civil Engineering, Construction, and Mechanical Engineering Technologies programs. Fane has also supported several other college capital campaigns and student support initiatives, including the Promise of our Region, Science Center, Outdoor Athletic Complex, and Center for Advanced Manufacturing campaigns.
Fane served on Hudson Valley Community College’s Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2016. Throughout his tenure, he was an outspoken advocate for all students, a valued advisor in matters pertaining to the campus infrastructure, and a tireless ambassador of the college throughout the region.
“We are thrilled to recognize Don Fane with the 2022 Foundation Leadership Award in honor of his dedication to our students and our college,” said Hudson Valley Vice President of External and Government Affairs and Foundation Executive Director Regina LaGatta. “His leadership and generosity will continue to have a positive impact for years to come, and we are so thankful for his support.”
“Don Fane and Callanan’s contributions have made an enormous impact for so many of our students, helping them prepare for and succeed in their careers in construction and skilled trades,” said Hudson Valley Community College President Dr. Roger Ramsammy. “The college is grateful for supporters like Don, who help us continue to expand offerings that train our students for the jobs our community needs to thrive.”
The Gala’s proceeds exceeded $100,000 and will support the creation of a new Applied Technology Education Center (ATEC) on campus. ATEC will allow the college to address the urgent need for skilled, trained technicians in applied technologies and skilled trades, an area of increasing demand across the state and nation.
Currently, the college houses several programs that prepare graduates for in-demand careers in the skilled trades. ATEC, a new facility filled with modern equipment and the latest technology, will allow Hudson Valley to increase enrollment, launch new programs and train the next generation of workers, including electricians, HVAC technicians, mechatronics technicians, plumbers and pipefitters, welders and welding fabricators, automotive, electric and autonomous vehicle technicians, hacking and cybersecurity specialists, artificial intelligence and data analytics experts, and more.
With the creation of ATEC, Hudson Valley will be able to expand capacity in current programs and create new ones, as well as grow fast-track workforce training courses for those already employed in key industries by offering advanced, industry-validated certifications and skill- and competency-based non-credit workforce training programs and bootcamps. More information on ATEC can be found at www.hvcc.edu/atec.