Annie Clarkson Society

Annie Clarkson was born December 21, 1856 in Potsdam and was known as “Miss Annie.”

She was instrumental in founding Clarkson University in 1896 in memory of her uncle, Thomas, and was crucial to its survival. Annie was the first Secretary on the Board of Trustees (1894-1929) and was the closest family member in the development of the school.

In 1922, Annie donated a large tract of land west of Holcroft House for use as an athletic field. In 1927, she donated 600 acres of family lands to the college.

She also deeded over Holcroft House, her ancestral home. When Annie died October 2, 1929, the bulk of her estate came to the College ($1.2 million [more than $16.5 million in current dollars]).

Clarkson University established the “Miss Annie Society” in 1993 to advance Annie’s philanthropic journey and to honor those who plan deferred gifts to Clarkson. In 2007, the society was renamed the “Annie Clarkson Society” to reflect Annie’s dynamic role as a founder and visionary of the University.

Annie made annual gifts, volunteered her time and made larger gifts to special projects and unconventional gifts such as real estate.

Our education and service mission grew to include outright, as well as, deferred gift planning strategies. Now, we may serve and educate a generation dealing with economic realities and beginning to explore their philanthropy.

Members of the Society have embraced our mission and created lifelong relationships with Clarkson through their estate plans. The Society offers membership to those who have created lifelong relationships at Clarkson by establishing endowments.

The mission of the Annie Clarkson Society is to ensure the Clarkson experience for students. The Society recognizes as members alumni, parents and friends who have planned a deferred gift or created an endowment for Clarkson. The Society encourages and helps others consider outright and deferred gift strategies through service and education programs.

The Annie Society allows us to join Annie with our own individual philanthropic legacies as together we ensure the Clarkson experience.

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