NYS Writers Institute's 40th Anniversary Celebration

During a kickoff celebration for our 40th anniversary season, University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez announced Thursday night a $1 million gift from area philanthropists Chet and Karen Opalka to establish The Opalka Endowed Directorship of the New York State Writers Institute (NYSWI) at the University at Albany. The endowment will provide perpetual support for the Writers Institute's leadership and its creative programming, while ensuring the organization's future as one of the preeminent literary presenting organizations in the United States.

"We are making history tonight with the largest gift in the program's 40-year history," Rodríguez said at an event celebrating the Writers Institute's 40th anniversary. "The Opalkas' transformative gift assures the continued excellence of the Writers Institute for the next 40 years and beyond — and we are immensely grateful for Karen and Chet’s generosity, leadership, and friendship."

Paul Grondahl, director of the Writers Institute since 2017, was the first recipient of the directorship.
“It is my honor and a great privilege to hold the title of The Opalka Endowed Directorship,” Grondahl said. “Chet and Karen Opalka inspire me with their philanthropy, their sustained commitment to arts organizations across the Capital Region, and especially the Writers Institute over the years. With this gift, we can continue to bring the greatest writers from around the world and the most diverse voices in contemporary literature to UAlbany, and to share their work with Capital Region audiences. I am proud to call Chet and Karen my friends.”