Alumnus Clem Campana Honored with Foundation’s Outstanding Philanthropist Award

October 12, 2022

The Hudson Valley Community College Foundation has named Clem Campana the 2022 recipient of its Outstanding Philanthropist Award. Clem received the award during the college's annual Leadership Donor Reception, held on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the Franklin Plaza in Troy.

The Outstanding Philanthropist Award is presented annually to an individual, couple or family foundation that has shown exemplary leadership through charitable giving to Hudson Valley. Recipients promote the mission, vision and values of a community college education by facilitating access, opportunity and student success through philanthropy.

Campana was born, raised and educated in Troy N.Y. He is an alumnus of Hudson Valley Community College (’81), The College of Saint Rose (’87), and the Graduate Studies Program in Labor Studies at SUNY Empire State College (’13). He worked as the director of building services at Troy’s Samaritan Hospital before returning to Hudson Valley in 1989, where he has been employed ever since in various roles in the Physical Plant, Human Resources office and the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer.

In 2013, Campana and his daughters Amy and Kari established the Karen A. Campana Memorial Scholarship in memory of their wife and mother and her compassion and commitment to caring for those around her. Intended to help future caregivers reach their educational goals, the merit-based scholarship is awarded each year to a student in Hudson Valley’s Nursing program. The family continues to honor Karen’s legacy through their involvement with local charities and fundraising events. Campana has also supported various other philanthropic endeavors at the college, including the Student Emergency Fund, the HVCC North campaign, and the President’s Fund, to name a few.

Campana is involved in several community organizations and volunteer outlets. He has served as a youth basketball coach since 1982, and is a board member of the Troy Youth Association (CYO), which presented him with the Person of the Year Award in 2006. He is the current parish council president at St. Anthony of Padua Church, and president of the Edward C. Picken Troy High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Campana is also the former city council president of Troy; former president of the Troy Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; and a former board chairperson for the Commission on Economic Opportunity.

"The Hudson Valley Community College Foundation is thrilled to honor Clem Campana with the 2022 Outstanding Philanthropist Award,” said Hudson Valley’s Vice President of External and Government Relations and Foundation Executive Director Regina LaGatta. “It is an honor and a pleasure to recognize Clem for his service and commitment to the college and the Foundation, and for his years of generosity and support for our students.”

For more information about the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation, visit www.hvcc.edu/foundation.