Since graduating in 2000, Chad Cooley has remained deeply committed to Colgate through both philanthropy and service. He co-chairs his class gift committee, serves on the Presidents’ Circle Membership Committee and Alumni Council, and was recently elected as an alumni trustee. In honor of his 25th reunion, Chad reflects on a quarter-century of service to Colgate.
What are some of the alumni volunteer roles you’ve held, and what has your volunteer experience been like?
My involvement with Colgate has been a steady climb. I started as gift chair for my class around our 10th reunion. A few years later, I joined the PCMC, followed by the Alumni Council, where I eventually took on a leadership role. In 2018, I co-chaired the Colgate Real Estate Council, one of a few professional networks, which was very rewarding as it allowed me to build interest and engagement in Colgate.
However, becoming an alumni trustee has been the greatest honor. Being a trustee is incredibly meaningful, but it is real work. We are there to do business, and it's engagement at the highest level. That comes with a lot of responsibility.
What was your earliest memory of volunteering for Colgate, and what made you want to give back?
My earliest connection to giving back was about two years after graduation, when I was transitioning into real estate. Growing up in Oregon with no New York ties or real estate experience, Colgate alumni were my primary gateway into the NYC real estate world. Meeting with them monthly and hearing their experiences was invaluable for my career path. Then, having an amazing time at my five-year reunion with close friends made me realize how much Colgate had given me. I wanted to reciprocate, so I started giving at the Presidents’ Circle levels.
What initially attracted you to Colgate, and how did you decide to apply?
In junior high, my best friend's brother was Eric Von Stroh ʼ95. Colgate came onto my radar through him, and as I learned more, I quickly became very interested. I arrived on Colgate’s campus sight unseen in August 1996.
What did you think when you showed up to campus for the first time, and what was your experience like as an undergraduate?
I thought the campus was great, with lots of outdoor activities. I ran cross country first year but decided it wasn't for me long-term, which opened doors to explore other things. I pledged Kappa Delta Rho, and my fraternity brothers remain my close friends to this day. In the spring of my sophomore year, I met my future wife, Valerie Cooley ʼ99, at my fraternity house. We started dating, married soon after college, and here we are 23 years later. In a short time, my whole life came together at Colgate.
What did you study, and what professors or courses do you remember most?
I really valued Colgate’s Core Curriculum and ultimately majored in political science because I enjoy reading, writing, and debating. My adviser, Professor Tim Burns, remains a good friend. I also vividly remember two legendary philosophy professors, Harry Emerson Fosdick Professor of Philosophy and Religion Emeritus Jerry Balmuth and Professor of Philosophy and Religion and University Chaplain Emeritus Coleman Brown, as well as Professor of Earth and Environmental Geosciences and Peace and Conflict Studies Karen Harpp and her engaging class on the atom bomb.
Why is Colgate special to you, and how did you feel prepared for the world when you left Colgate?
Colgate is special because it taught me how to read, write, make an argument, and interact socially — skills crucial for success in real estate. I believe these critical thinking and communication skills are even more vital in the age of AI, which I see as a tool rather than a disruptor for a liberal arts education. Colgate’s foundation truly prepares students to be future leaders.
What is it about the Third-Century Plan that speaks most to you, and what kind of things are you excited about as you think about Colgate in the future?
I think that the three current primary focuses of the Third-Century Plan are all very exciting: attract the most talented students and accommodate them regardless of financial background; attract, retain, and elevate our great faculty; and build an even better and more beautiful campus so our students can have a four-year residential liberal arts experience.
As someone in real estate, I’m particularly engaged in the campus development aspect, serving as a vice chair on the University Resources Committee. This vision requires significant alumni support, and it’s inspiring to see President Casey and Kim Harris leading these fundraising efforts.
The comprehensive campus vision developed by Dean Paul McLaughlin, President Casey, and the Board is incredibly exciting. Colgate is a campus on the move, and we have an alumni community that’s investing in the future of this University.
You made a commitment to the Colgate Fund in support of your 25th reunion. How are you hoping to inspire members of your class to do the same?
The Colgate Fund has always been important to me, and as a trustee, I understand its critical role. I’m thrilled to be working with Gabe Schwartz ʼ00 to challenge our Class of 2000 to raise over $1 million, and we're making great progress thanks to generous donations. Asking people to support the Colgate Fund is an easy task because it addresses essential needs like affordability, which resonates with a broad audience.
What are you most looking forward to about your 25th reunion?
One of the great things about attending reunion as an Alumni Council member is that you can walk into any tent and know a surprising number of people. It just makes the weekend so much more dynamic, interesting, and fun. I love my class, and I’ll spend a lot of time with them, but on the whole, one of the rewards of being engaged as an alumnus is growing a network of passionate alumni from across eras and generations.