In Memoriam Michael T. Casey
Dear Skidmore Community,
I write to share the very sad news that Michael Casey, a highly respected and accomplished
fundraising executive who served Skidmore with wisdom and compassion as Collyer Vice
President for Advancement from 2000-2017, died August 22 following a bicycle accident
earlier this month.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Michael’s wife, Janet Casey, associate dean of
the faculty and professor of English at Skidmore; his children Liam and Fiona; and
his many friends and colleagues across campus, in Saratoga Springs, at Trinity College
in Hartford, Connecticut, and beyond.
Michael, who served Skidmore’s Advancement division for 17 years and was a member
of the College’s senior leadership team, led an exemplary career in advancement at
multiple prestigious institutions. Until his death on Tuesday, Aug. 22, he was vice
president for advancement at Trinity, where he executed the largest capital campaign
in that college’s history.
During his tenure at Skidmore, the College raised more than a half-billion dollars
for a range of initiatives, including construction of the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
He also secured support for financial aid and academic programs including 15 endowed
chairs and the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCS), as well as
facilities and athletics and student affairs initiatives.
Colleagues in our Advancement division and from across campus noted Michael’s endearing
collegiality, warmth, humor, and brilliance, as he partnered with faculty and other
community members for Skidmore’s future.
President Emeritus Philip A. Glotzbach expressed, “I am profoundly grateful to Michael
Casey for generously helping a new President come to know the extended Skidmore community
and get up to speed on fundraising. But in addition to his broad and deep expertise
in advancement, Michael brought to the Cabinet an insightful and critical strategic
mind. Always keeping the larger institutional picture in sight, he invariably pushed
me and his administrative colleagues to envision the Skidmore we wanted to create.
I also will fondly recall his wit and ability to recite lines from almost any movie
one could name. His curious and wide-ranging intellect truly made him a Renaissance
man. I will sorely miss the pleasure of his company.”
“In addition to the experience and talent that Michael brought to his work as a fundraiser
and connector of people to each other and the College, I will always be grateful for
the kindness, wisdom, humanity, good humor, and amazing baking that he shared with
me and members of our Advancement team,” said Lori Eastman ’87, associate vice president
of advancement. “I have heard from current and past friends and colleagues, who have
all talked about Michael being an extraordinary source of strength and encouragement,
a true one of a kind, who will be remembered and missed by all of us.”
From 2004 to 2010, Michael oversaw Skidmore’s Creative Thought. Bold Promise campaign, which raised $216.5 million. He also oversaw the launch of Skidmore’s most
recent campaign, Creating Our Future: The Campaign for Skidmore, and helped raise $132.5 million toward the campaign’s $229.4 total. He participated
in the creation of several important volunteer support organizations, such as the
Friends of Skidmore Athletics and the President’s Advisory Council. He also played
a lead role in the 2001 crafting and development of the College’s highly appropriate
motto “Creative Thought Matters.”
Michael came to Skidmore from Wesleyan University’s advancement office following roles
at Franklin and Marshall College and the Baltimore Museum of Art.
A first-generation student, Michael earned a degree in Irish history and literature
from Harvard University in 1981. He was also deeply involved in the Saratoga Springs
community and served on the boards of the Waldorf School, the Convention and Tourism
Bureau, SaratogaArtsFest, and Saratoga Regional YMCA.
Former Chair of the Board of Trustees Sue Thomas ’62 shared that she and Michael worked
closely together for all of his years at Skidmore. “We supported each other through
many endeavors and I always appreciated his leadership and wise perspective on issues. He
was a talented Skidmore VP for Advancement, an ambitious fundraiser, a dedicated Skidmore
administrator, and a joy to work with. His fine values, wisdom, breadth of knowledge,
humility, charm, humor, love and respect for others was what made him the beloved
person we all knew. We have lost a truly dear friend.”
I am heartbroken for Michael’s family and for all who have lost a dear friend and
colleague. Plans to honor his life are forthcoming. In the meantime, community members
are invited to reflect on Michael’s legacy online. On behalf of our entire Skidmore community, I extend our deepest condolences to
Janet, Liam, and Fiona; Michael’s colleagues and friends; and all whose careers and
lives have been touched by Michael’s kindness, sincerity, and work for Skidmore.
Sincerely,
Marc C. Conner
President