BINGHAMTON — The estate of Binghamton resident Emil Calice has donated $10 million to the State University of New York (SUNY) Broome Community College, the school announced.
The college describes the $10 million gift as the “biggest” in its history and “possibly the largest philanthropic gift ever presented to a SUNY community college.”
SUNY Broome will use the money to establish the Paul and Mary Calice and Mildred Barton Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will provide need-based financial aid to students attending SUNY Broome.
“No student will have to turn down a SUNY Broome education because it’s just too expensive. No student will face tens of thousands of dollars in debt just because they want to improve their lives,” Maureen Wilson, president of the Broome Community College Foundation board of directors, said in the news release.
The interest alone from Calice’s donation can fund 100 full-tuition or 200 half-tuition scholarships, Kevin Drumm, president of SUNY Broome, said in the news release.
“You can go anywhere from here — but you need to get here first. And that’s where Mr. Calice’s generosity makes such a big difference,” said Drumm, who offered his “heartfelt” thanks to the Calice and Barton families.
Several of Calice’s and Mildred Barton’s relatives graduated from SUNY Broome, Drumm noted.
Known by family and friends as “Sonny,” the late Emil Calice came from a large Italian family with eight brothers and sisters.
His parents, Paul and Mary, emigrated from Italy and first lived in Michigan before joining relatives in Binghamton.
Calice served with his four brothers during World War II, the school said. After the war ended, he spent his entire 47-year career at IBM, according to the school’s news release.
His lifelong companion, Millie Barton, also worked at IBM during the World War II era, the school said.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com