Key Takeaways
- • The Metcalf Endowment, begun in 1974 by former students of Dr. Harlan G. "Gold" Metcalf, funds intellectual and professional development for students in SUNY Cortland's Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department.
- • Disbursements are managed by the Cortland College Foundation and approved by a board composed primarily of department alumni, with representatives from current faculty and students.
- • The Endowment underwrites honorariums for speakers at the annual SUNY Cortland Recreation Conference and funds student travel to state and national professional conferences.
- • Metcalf led the department from its creation in 1947 until his retirement in 1969, and died on July 28, 1985.
Summary
The Metcalf Endowment at SUNY Cortland honors Dr. Harlan Goldsbury "Gold" Metcalf, who was selected by the college in 1947 to create and chair what is now the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department. During his 22 years as teacher and administrator, before retiring in 1969, Metcalf is described by the college as having instilled in generations of students a blend of self-confidence and humility. He was widely known as an expert in archery and fishing, and in 1948 he secured the donation of Camp Pine Knot, a 200-acre Adirondack lakefront property that now forms the core of the college's Outdoor Education Center.
Metcalf authored nearly 70 published articles and three books, including *Field Archery and Bow Hunting*. Born in Elyria, Ohio, he earned a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College, a master's degree from Columbia University, and a doctorate from New York University. After World War II he served with the National Recreation Association. He was posthumously inducted into the New York State Recreation and Park Society Hall of Fame.
The Endowment, managed by the Cortland College Foundation, supports honorariums that bring nationally recognized speakers to the annual recreation conference, and funds scholarships for students to attend state and national professional conferences. Disbursements require approval from a board composed primarily of department alumni, with representatives from current faculty and students. The Endowment's lecture series has included speakers from institutions across the United States, and the 2020 Metcalf Lecture was delivered by Kelly Bricker of the University of Utah.
Former students and colleagues, including Tom Goodale '61, professor of leisure studies at George Mason University, describe Metcalf's commitment to outdoor education and to ensuring that no one was disenfranchised by discrimination, disability or poverty.
Metcalf authored nearly 70 published articles and three books, including *Field Archery and Bow Hunting*. Born in Elyria, Ohio, he earned a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College, a master's degree from Columbia University, and a doctorate from New York University. After World War II he served with the National Recreation Association. He was posthumously inducted into the New York State Recreation and Park Society Hall of Fame.
The Endowment, managed by the Cortland College Foundation, supports honorariums that bring nationally recognized speakers to the annual recreation conference, and funds scholarships for students to attend state and national professional conferences. Disbursements require approval from a board composed primarily of department alumni, with representatives from current faculty and students. The Endowment's lecture series has included speakers from institutions across the United States, and the 2020 Metcalf Lecture was delivered by Kelly Bricker of the University of Utah.
Former students and colleagues, including Tom Goodale '61, professor of leisure studies at George Mason University, describe Metcalf's commitment to outdoor education and to ensuring that no one was disenfranchised by discrimination, disability or poverty.
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