In honor of an unrestricted $2 million gift from Frank L. Messa ’73 and his wife, Colleen, Blue House will be renamed Messa House, with an official dedication to be held ReUnion weekend, May 27-30.
The Messas are longtime benefactors to the College. Their gift comes during the College’s $250 million “You are Union” campaign, which has raised more than $180 million to date. The recently expanded campaign is forging ahead with new momentum for significant initiatives tied to the College’s Strategic Plan.
“We are delighted to make this gift to name one of the two remaining unnamed Minerva Houses,” said Messa, who is chairman of the College’s Board of Trustees. “As we enter the last phase of the capital campaign, it is important that we achieve as many of our strategic objectives as possible. The Minerva House system is one of the key elements of the plan.”
The Messas, of Saratoga Springs, have three children: Christopher, Peter and Keri ’08, an all-American lacrosse player who was a member of Blue House.
“It’s impossible to grow up in the Messa household without having Union College be a part of your life,” said Keri. “The Minervas are an important part of Union, and it is fitting that our family's gift be recognized by the naming of a Minerva House.”
President Stephen C. Ainlay hopes this gift will inspire other supporters of the College to consider a gift to rename Green House, the last of the Minervas with naming rights.
“We are extremely grateful to Frank and Colleen Messa for their many contributions to Union College,” Ainlay said. “Their tireless efforts on the College's behalf and their remarkable generosity have enriched our campus in so many ways. The Messas should serve as an inspiration to all of us, and it is very appropriate that their name will now grace one of our Minerva houses.”
At Union, Messa earned a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in political science and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He is a graduate of Albany Law School and former senior partner with the Ayco Company, a local tax and financial consulting firm. He retired in 2006 after 30 years with the firm.
Messa is co-chair, along with Mark L. Walsh ’76, of the “You are Union” campaign. He and his family have provided funds for the renovation of Frank L. Messa Rink at Achilles Center, the renovation of Schaffer Library and the establishment of the Frank Messa ’73 Endowed Scholarship and the Steinway Piano Fund for the Taylor Music Center. He also created endowments for the hockey program and women’s athletics.