Hobart and William Smith Colleges

25 November 2024 • Alums • Service Patchett '88 Endows Summer of Service By Colin Spencer '19

Inspired by his time spent tutoring as a student at Hobart and William Smith, Tom Patchett ’88 establishes service-learning endowment.

As a student at Hobart and William Smith, Tom Patchett ’88 experienced firsthand how volunteering in the local community can change one’s life. 

Once a week, he would visit the Geneva Middle School to tutor a young boy in reading. The two explored different subjects, working to promote the student’s reading proficiency and build a love of reading, eventually finding the most interest in books on sports. In particular, the two enjoyed a book on the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ undefeated season.  

They would also spend time practicing lacrosse and playing basketball in the school’s gym, getting to know each other better and building memories that would last a lifetime. 

“Being in that position put my focus on what I could do for someone else,” says Patchett, who held a career as a teacher and assistant principal in several Brooklyn, N.Y. schools. “The experience reinforced the notion that I am learning, not just teaching.” 

To ensure future students continue to have similar experiences, Patchett committed $100,000 to create the Thomas J. Patchett ’88 Service Learning Endowment. This endowed fund will enhance the Summer of Service program that was founded by Patchett, HWS Trustee Dr. Marguerite Murphy and Brian Cooper in 2011 to give students the opportunity to work and create connections with local non-profit agencies. Operated by the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL) at HWS, the program works with the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva, Students Outside all Summer and Geneva 2030. Since its creation, 92 students have contributed more than 22,000 hours interning with Summer of Service.

“This generous and thoughtful gift from Tom exemplifies the spirit of community our alumni feel with HWS and with Geneva,” says President Mark D. Gearan. “Through his philanthropy, Tom will provide current students with the same kinds of opportunities he had to discover the power of service and to work in partnership with our Geneva neighbors who serve as remarkable role models for our students.”

“We are deeply grateful to Tom Patchett for his visionary support in establishing this endowment for the Summer of Service program,” says Director for CCESL Katie Flowers. “His generosity will help us build lasting connections with local partners and create meaningful, impactful internships that benefit both our students and the community.”

Through the program, Alison Smith ’25, a psychology major, worked this past summer as a monitor with the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva.

“Being a part of a child’s learning and growth was such a captivating experience,” says Smith.” “Having this positive relationship with every child helped me discover how critical their development is and I'm glad I was able to have an impact. This program has encouraged me to be a more active community member and to help achieve further positive outcomes.”

Computer Science major Andy Dinh ’27, who partnered with the Students Outside all Summer program, wrote a poem expressing his gratitude for working with second graders. 

“So it is my responsibility to make this world a better place for you, to let you be free, exploring your creativity,” writes Dinh. 

Beyond tutoring, Patchett’s time at HWS was influenced by former Hobart Cross Country Coach Ron Fleury and former Athletic Director Mike Hanna ’68, P’99. As a runner on the team, the two helped Patchett grow not only as an athlete, but as a well-rounded person. 

“Coach Ron Fleury promoted a true appreciation for a healthy lifestyle,” says Patchett, who is still a competitive runner today. “It was never about wins and losses as much as it was about the person's development. Coach Fleury was concerned that his runners were well-balanced and achieving students.”

In his honor, Patchett established and endowed the Coach Ron Fleury Cross Country Award. The award is presented to the Hobart Statesmen runner whose dedication to his academic work, his teammates, and the HWS community has been outstanding. 

On campus, Patchett was a Druid, a brother in the Chi Phi fraternity and an active member of St. John’s Chapel. 

Patchett is the son of the late Dr. Arthur Patchett P’88, who, upon retiring, served as Vice President of Medicinal Chemistry at Merck & Company, Inc. Arthur was also a generous supporter of HWS, notably through the Summer Science Program in Chemistry Endowed Fund, the Annual Fund and other scholarships in the sciences. 

Read more about Dr. Arthur Patchett. 

After graduating from Hobart with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Tom earned master’s degrees in public administration from the University of Virginia and education from the University of Rochester. He retired after serving as an assistant principal at Williamsburg Preparatory School in Brooklyn, N.Y. Tom is married to Grace Scozzaro-Patchett, a steadfast supporter of his philanthropic endeavors.

In addition to supporting the Summer of Service program, Tom has given to HWS through the Annual Fund and in athletics.

Top: Summer of Service participants Andy Dinh '27, Johnny Bewley '27, Riyadh Heusner '25, Caroline Ruffner '25, Joy Nguyen '26, Mia Lugo '25, Alison Smith '25 and Maggie Mahoney '26 jump for a photo behind Trinity Hall. They interned at four organizations in Geneva this summer.