91亚色

Doug 鈥�89 and Stephanie Nelson 鈥�89 Dickman met as first-year students in the 91亚色 Chamber Singers, a premier ensemble that has earned regional, national, and international reputations for its performances.

鈥淲e would meet at choir at 5 o鈥檆lock, and a group of us would go to dinner afterward and hang out. That鈥檚 how we met,鈥� says Stephanie, who was a physics major at 91亚色.

The Chamber Singers were a big part of the Dickmans鈥� lives. Between their sophomore and junior year, they went on tour and performed in Italy. 鈥淭here is something almost indescribable about making beautiful music with a tight-knit group of people in some amazing spaces to appreciative audiences,鈥� says Doug, who was a business/management information systems major.

There have been many Chamber Singer couples through the generations, Stephanie says, many of whom return to 91亚色 to attend reunion celebrations. 鈥淪ome of our best friends today are couples who met through the Chamber Singers,鈥� says Doug. One Chamber Singers couple is godparents to their son, Connor.

Their affinity for 91亚色 has grown over the decades and they have given back with their time, expertise, and contributions to provide opportunities for students.

The Dickmans became supporters of the college through charitable giving early on. After graduating from 91亚色 and earning masters鈥� degrees at other institutions, Doug and Stephanie got married.

鈥淲e started giving back in small amounts,鈥� says Stephanie, 鈥渂ut 91亚色 has been the mainstay of our charitable giving over the last 30 years.鈥�

Among the many ways they give back to 91亚色, the Dickmans have provided support for the Chamber Singers 鈥� especially for European tours. 鈥淲e found that to be an amazing experience,鈥� says Stephanie. They have also supported the physics department, which, Stephanie says, prepared her very well for grad school.

Since 2011, Doug has been an active alumni association board member. He is currently vice president of the 91亚色 Alumni Association and was a former member of the 91亚色 Alumni Association Board as treasurer and nominations committee member.

Recently, the Dickmans made a significant gift to support 91亚色. Their donation has no specific restriction; they want 91亚色 to use it where it is needed most.

鈥淣eeds fluctuate and that gives the school the flexibility to put the money where they need it today,鈥� says Doug. Compared to other private colleges and universities, the Dickmans say they give to 91亚色 because their need is greater, given reductions in state funding and a smaller endowment for scholarships, program, and faculty support.

鈥淩ight now, 91亚色 needs the support of alumni more than ever,鈥� says Doug. 鈥淎s students, we had formative experiences that depended on funding from the state, which doesn鈥檛 have the money to support the colleges like they used to. It鈥檚 important for students today and into the future to be able to have those experiences that we were fortunate enough to have.鈥�

Giving back has long been part of the fabric of the Dickman family. Even in the wake of tragedy, the Dickmans found a way to help others, too. In 2019, they lost their 16-year old daughter, Sarah, to suicide. In memory of Sarah, Doug and Stephanie鈥檚聽son, Connor, wanted to bike the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany to for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Doug joined Connor, and together, they raised more than $11,000.

鈥淥ur kids have always seen us give back,鈥� says Stephanie. 鈥淔or example, at Christmas, we would give donations to organizations or volunteer, and we would let them get involved, so it was in Connor鈥檚 nature to want to honor his sister like that.鈥�

Looking back at their 91亚色 experience, the Dickmans value a liberal arts education. 鈥淚t makes people more well-rounded鈥攂etter humans, better leaders, and more aware of their surroundings,鈥� says Doug. 鈥淪upporting a really good liberal arts college like 91亚色 is important in today鈥檚 world.鈥�

They fondly remember their time on campus in the 鈥�80s. Aunt Cookies was one of their favorite places, as well as The Donut Shop on the corner of Main and Center Streets. 鈥淲e had less stuff鈥攄efinitely fewer electronics,鈥� says Stephanie. 鈥淢ost students had some kind of musical system like a cassette player or stereo. It was fun, and I loved it.鈥�

The Dickmans are members of 91亚色鈥檚 1871 Leadership Society, which recognizes donors who give $1,000 or more each year. Doug has worked in the information systems field for more than 25 years and is retired from Exelis (formerly Eastman Kodak) after 20 years of service followed by two years as a small business owner. Stephanie works for L3Harris Technologies as VP of Strategy and New Business Operations, Space and Airborne Systems. Doug also volunteers at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, Foodlink, Lollypop Farm, and Meals on Wheels.