Strategic Three-Year Plan to Rejuvenate Pine Lake Campus

Hartwick College is proud to launch a bold three-year initiative designed to breathe new life into one of our most cherished natural spaces. This plan reimagines Pine Lake as a vibrant hub for environmental learning, wellness, reflection and community connection.

Rooted in Hartwick’s commitment to life balance and immersive education, the vision for Pine Lake is simple: create a place where students, alumni, faculty, and the wider community can come together to learn, recharge and grow — surrounded by the calm and clarity that only nature can provide.

Starting in 2025, the first year will focus on foundational improvements. These efforts include revitalizing the Welcome Center as a central hub for learning and hospitality, enhancing safety and security features, parking and traffic flow improvements, upgrading facilities and rebuilding educational programs and workshops that have long made Pine Lake a meaningful part of the Hartwick experience. A key priority will also be re-engaging the campus and local community through outreach, partnerships and events that invite broader participation.

In 2026, attention will turn to cabin renovations and the development of deeper collaborations with local organizations. Transportation access to and from Pine Lake will also be improved to support broader, more inclusive use.

A financial projection will be presented to the Board of Trustees in February 2026, marking a key milestone in Pine Lake’s transformation into a sustainable educational and recreational resource. This planning benchmark will help guide the initiative’s next phase and ensure long-term viability.

Building on that foundation, 2027 will bring enhancements to the vaudevillian to create a multi-use events and conference center — a space designed to host educational retreats, community events and regional gatherings, further establishing Pine Lake as a resource for connection, reflection and discovery.

To guide this transformation, Dean of Academic and Outdoor Recreation Operations Matthew Sanford — a licensed New York State guide, wilderness first responder and accomplished hiker — will also oversee Pine Lake. Sanford, who also teaches hiking and wellness courses at the College and has been a part of the Hartwick community since 2005, brings deep expertise and a personal connection to the land.

“I’m inspired by Pine Lake’s legacy and driven by the call to shape its future — one rooted in preservation, sustainability and the bold reconnection of people with nature,” Sanford said. “The insights we’ve gained through this process have only strengthened my resolve to honor what this place has been and bring to life all it can still offer to our community.”

His leadership reflects Hartwick’s commitment to intentional stewardship and deeper integration of Pine Lake into the College’s academic mission, student life and community engagement. Building on the goals and vision established by previous Pine Lake leaders, Sanford will be supported by additional staff and a caretaker to help bring new programs to life year-round.

Laurel Bongiorno, vice president for academic affairs and provost, underscored the academic significance of the project. “Pine Lake is a place where students can experience hands-on learning, reflection and discovery in a way that traditional spaces can’t replicate,” Bongiorno said. “This initiative aligns beautifully with our vision of a connected, immersive education that extends far beyond the walls of any one building — and supports the kind of life balance that helps students thrive both personally and academically.”

Bongiorno emphasized that the strategic plan is ultimately about strengthening connections — between students and the natural world, between academic learning and real-world experience, and between Hartwick’s past and its future. She noted that Pine Lake offers a unique setting for hands-on education, personal growth, and meaningful community engagement. This initiative reinforces the College’s investment in outdoor spaces that support academic success, life balance, and a renewed connection with the region.

Alumni, families, and friends are invited to be part of this exciting new chapter through the Friends of Pine Lake membership program. This initiative helps sustain the ongoing stewardship, programming, and accessibility of a place that has long-held meaning for generations of Hartwick students and supporters.

Those who wish to directly support Pine Lake’s continued growth and transformation can also make a gift. Every contribution helps fuel the vision of Pine Lake as a thriving, year-round resource for learning, reflection and connection. To learn more or to give, visit hartwick.edu/pinelake.