$50 million gift to university from alumnus Peter Kellner
Colgate University has announced a historic $50 million gift from alumnus Peter Kellner, class of 1965, marking the largest single donation in the institution’s history.
The contribution is part of a collective $105 million in new gifts from five alumni, aimed at transforming Colgate’s lower campus and enhancing the university’s residential experience for upperclassmen.
Kellner’s $50 million gift will support a comprehensive initiative to create a cohesive Lower Campus along Broad Street in Hamilton, New York.
This project is a cornerstone of Colgate’s Third-Century Plan, a strategic framework launched in 2019 to strengthen the university’s academic offerings, upgrade campus facilities, and enrich student life as Colgate approaches its third century.
The Lower Campus initiative will focus on constructing new residential, social, dining, and study spaces for juniors and seniors.
These developments are designed to foster community and independence, extending the benefits of Colgate’s residential commons system to upperclass students.
University President Brian W. Casey expressed deep gratitude for the transformative gifts, stating, “Colgate aims to provide the most robust residential liberal arts education in the United States, and the Lower Campus initiative is crucial in realizing that aspiration”.
Peter Kellner is a prominent venture capitalist and philanthropist based in New York City.
Kellner is a financier and philanthropist whose longstanding commitment to education, conservation, and the arts has had a lasting impact on institutions in both the United States and the United Kingdom. A former managing director at Morgan Stanley, Peter built a career in mergers and acquisitions in New York and Europe.
Since his early retirement, he has been an active private investor, devoting a significant portion of his time to philanthropy with a focus on higher education, conservation, and the creative arts.
Peter has been a transformative force in philanthropy, including through the establishment of two endowed chairs, academic scholarships, and other significant initiatives at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY.
These donations have not only supported world-class teaching and research but also reflect Peter’s deep commitment to fostering interdisciplinary learning and the value of a liberal arts education.
Peter has generously committed a significant seven-figure donation to Goldsmiths, comprising a $2.7 million cash donation and an art collection currently valued at around $6.7 million, both of which will be used to strengthen Goldsmiths’ endowment, thereby further enriching the college’s cultural and academic landscape.
He is the founder and managing partner of Richmond Global, a venture capital firm investing in technology and digital services across five continents.
Kellner holds degrees from Princeton University (AB), Yale Law School (JD), and Harvard Business School (MBA), and is recognized for his global impact as a seed and early-stage investor in several technology “unicorns”.
Beyond his business achievements, Kellner has a long-standing commitment to education and entrepreneurship.
He co-founded Endeavor Global, a nonprofit organization that supports high-impact entrepreneurs worldwide, and has funded initiatives at Princeton and Yale to promote entrepreneurship and innovation.
Kellner’s connection to Colgate is deeply personal: he is a first-generation college graduate and the child of immigrants.
His father, Michael Kellner, was born in Vienna, Austria, and grew up there before fleeing to the Holy Land after the Anschluss and Kristallnacht. He eventually settled in Britain after World War II.
Peter Kellner credits his Colgate education as instrumental in shaping his personal and professional aspirations.
Kellner and his family have previously endowed faculty positions at Colgate, supporting teaching and research in the arts, creativity, and interdisciplinary studies.
Kellner’s landmark gift, alongside those from other alumni, will help realize Colgate’s vision of a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking campus.
The Lower Campus initiative, supported by these donations, is expected to shape the university’s future for generations to come.
“This moment holds immense importance for Colgate and will enable us to finalize a campus that has been evolving for 200 years,” said President Casey.
With this unprecedented support, Colgate University is poised to set a new standard for residential liberal arts education in the United States.