How the legacy of Frances Allen lives on at FMCC

In 2015, Frances Allen, a longtime supporter of the school, left a $2 million bequest to FM Foundation, the largest unrestricted donation the foundation has ever received. Part of the bequest was applied to the construction of the Allen House, which houses the office of the president of FMCC, the Salmon Board Room, Frasier Event Room, Winsman Library, a serving kitchen, and an entertaining space.

In a 2016 interview with The Daily Gazette, FM Foundation chairperson Del B. Salmon noted, “[Allen House] will make the foundation more visible and accessible, allowing us to welcome, entertain, and cultivate visitors, alumni, donors, and supporters, and to step up our fundraising efforts.”

Prior to the completion of the Allen House, the Offices of the President and the Foundation were tucked away in the Student Welcome Center, and at the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). The Radiology student’s White Coat Ceremony and the Nursing student’s Pinning Ceremony had to be held at a venue off campus.

The new building is a centerpiece of the campus with bright, professional offices that show potential donors what the school has to offer. The building’s large, multi-purpose meeting room can be easily adapted to accommodate a range of public and college events. Its 6,000 sq ft layout includes a fireplace and a spacious entrance foyer that creates an upscale atmosphere for ceremonies and other special events.

A more dramatic space for events is not the only benefit of the Allen House. The new meeting space frees up the Student Union for students while creating a formal, practical space for community board meetings and events. Likewise, moving some administrative offices into the Allen House freed up additional space for Student Services offices. This gives everyone more room to operate more effectively.

Since the completion of the space in February 2018, the Allen House has become a “hub of diversified activities”. As the centerpiece of the campus, it is a point of pride for the school and a reminder of the value of dedicated donors who think long-term when considering how to benefit the school.