A List
4/28/05

ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY APPROVES SALE OF CATAMOUNT PROPERTY

CANTON – St. Lawrence University has approved the concept proposed by 
two alumni and two friends of the University to purchase and manage the 
University's property in the Town of Colton, known as Catamount.
	The property consists of 379 acres, with a four-bedroom lodge and 
two-room caretaker's cottage, and is adjacent to Route 56 South.
	The successful proposal preserves for St. Lawrence the ability to use, 
without charge, the property for 20 days each year for purposes related 
to the University's educational mission. An analysis of its use by 
St. Lawrence found that the property had been reserved by student, 
faculty and alumni groups about 15 days per year, so the proposal will 
maintain and even expand those opportunities. 
	Marcia T. '84 and Robert J. Hostetter '85, of Canton, and Ruth T. and 
Joe F. McWilliams, of Springfield, Virginia, submitted the proposal, 
which calls for a multi-phased plan for the property, introducing over 
20 years such programs as sustainable forest management in accordance with 
Adirondack Park Agency regulations; woodland and related education 
activities; daytime public use of the trails for hiking, bird-watching, 
canoeing and kayaking; and public rentals of the lodge for family retreats, 
group meetings and other events.
	Marcia Hostetter and Ruth McWilliams are daughters of Robert and 
Esther Thompson, now retired in Canton, who raised their 10 children on 
the family's dairy farm in Lisbon. Family members worked together on the 
proposal, drawing upon their various educational backgrounds and experiences, 
as well as their commitment to natural resource management and community 
development in integrated ways.
	The new owners plan to connect with local schools, universities, civic 
groups, youth groups and other non-profit organizations to develop on-site programs.
	"This proposal offers the best of all possible outcomes for the North 
Country and for St. Lawrence," said Kathryn L. Mullaney, the University's vice 
president for finance.  "Our region will have a location for educational, 
recreational and cultural programs, within a setting managed for environmental, 
social and economic benefits, and St. Lawrence students and faculty can access 
the facility as much as, or more than, they have in the recent past. We 
appreciate the vision of this family, with local roots and interests, for 
Catamount." 
	Mullaney confirmed that the final purchase price and other details of the 
sale are expected to be concluded on or by May 20, 2005. 

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