Hobart and William Smith Colleges

24 January 2025 • Alums The Karofskys Make An Unrestricted Gift of $1 Million

Rob ’89 and Ann Karofsky commit $1 million. Their gift will be directed to advances in the sciences.

Rob ’89 and Ann Karofsky have made a $1 million unrestricted gift to Hobart and William Smith. Their generous commitment will be directed toward the integrated science center, supporting a key priority of Further Together: the Campaign for our Third Century.

“We are deeply grateful to Rob and Ann for their generosity and support of Hobart and William Smith,” says President Mark D. Gearan. “An unrestricted gift of this magnitude allows us to invest in areas of greatest need and opportunity. By directing the gift to the sciences, we will further enhance the sophistication of our science curriculum and provide exceptional opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in cutting-edge research and discovery.”

For the Karofskys, making their gift unrestricted reflects their confidence in HWS’ leadership and the institution’s strategic vision. “We wanted President Gearan to be able to use the funds to make the greatest and most immediate impact,” Rob says.

"When I think of HWS’ potential and what they’re capable of, I believe our gift can make a great difference here." Ann T. Karofsky

“Hobart and William Smith is providing so much to their students. When I think of HWS’ potential and what they’re capable of, I believe our gift can make a great difference here,” Ann adds. 

When Rob learned the funds would go toward advancing science education, he was enthusiastic. "It’s important for us to have a world-class science center matching our extraordinary faculty who prepare our students for careers in fields such as data science, artificial intelligence and addressing the pressing environmental challenges we face globally," he says.

As President of UBS Americas, Co President Global Wealth Management, Rob witnessed firsthand how data science and artificial intelligence are transforming industries. He notes that preparing students for this rapidly evolving landscape requires a foundation of critical thinking, communication and creativity.

“I’ve always admired the liberal arts for teaching students to think critically and communicate effectively,” Rob explains. “With the addition of a new integrated science center, HWS students will be able to build on these foundational skills while gaining expertise in emerging fields.”

Karofsky began his career at Morgan Stanley as an oil analyst before advancing to manage the US Delta One Equities Trading. He later held leadership roles at Deutsche Bank and AllianceBernstein before joining UBS in 2014 as Global Head of Equities. In 2018, he was promoted to co-run the Investment Bank, and became Sole Head in 2021. In July of this year, he became President of the Americas and Co President of Global Wealth Management, where he continues to drive innovation.

At HWS, Rob earned high honors in economics. He also minored in religious studies with a concentration in Holocaust studies – and had a penchant for taking Shakespeare courses. He later earned an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

Ann earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and an MBA from NYU. She then began a career in consulting. 

Since graduation, Rob has maintained a strong connection to his alma mater. Whether through his continued close friendship with his Sigma Chi fraternity brothers, or his enduring respect for Professor Emeritus of Economics Patrick McGuire L.H.D. ’12, HWS has remained a meaningful part of his life. His gratitude to McGuire inspired a significant contribution to the Patrick A. McGuire L.H.D. ’12 and Sandra A. McGuire Study Abroad Fund, which recognizes the couple’s dedication to global education and the profound impact they’ve had on HWS programs.

The Karofskys’ bond with HWS grew even stronger after a recent visit to campus. Ann says she was struck by the feeling of community after touring campus and visiting the McGuires’ home. “My initial and overarching impression of HWS was just warmth. Everyone was so welcoming,” she says. 

During their campus visit, Rob headlined a President’s Forum with Gearan on the “Future of Finance.” The pair also had the opportunity to attend classes where they engaged with students whose passion and intellectual curiosity left a lasting impression.

"I could not have been more impressed with the students we met, and their level of preparation, curiosity and passion,” Rob says.