The Power of a Promise

Katie Spotz, the youngest person to row across the Atlantic Ocean solo at age 22, was the keynote speaker at the Young Scholars Promise Event at Utica College March 28. SUNY Poly teamed with numerous community organizations to sponsor the event.

Why would you row across the Atlantic Ocean?

Perhaps because you said you would. That’s the reason for the adventure of Katie Spotz, 22, the youngest person to row across the Atlantic solo.

Spotz was the keynote speaker at the Young Scholars Promise event Tuesday, March 28 at the Utica College Harold T. Clark Jr. Athletic Center in Utica.

SUNY Poly was proud to partner with other community institutions such as Utica College, the Utica City School District, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Colgate University, WKTV NEWSChannel 2, Cathedral Corporation, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, First Source Federal Credit Union, Strategic Financial Services, The Genesis Group of the Mohawk Valley Region, and the organization because I said I would for the event.

Spotz focused on the simple idea of doing what one promises, sharing the potential for improving the world and inspiring others through the idea’s continued implementation.

No stranger to overcoming challenges, she ran across the Mojave desert unsupported, cycled across America twice, and is also the first person to swim the 325-mile Allegheny River. Throughout her adventures, she was raising money for safe drinking water projects around the world, totaling more than $275,000 in funding.

“We are thrilled to partner with so many other wonderful organizations in our area to provide an evening that will entertain and inspire our faculty, students, and staff, as well as the larger community,” said Dr. Bahgat Sammakia, Interim President of SUNY Poly. “To contribute to the betterment of our community is part of the overall mission of SUNY Poly and one that we take great pride in.”

Discussing “The Power of a Promise” and the importance of keeping one’s commitments, Spotz spoke as part of because I said I would, a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity by making and keeping promises to end suffering, establish peace, and build happiness.

This event was free and open to the public with those in attendance encouraged to donate to support the Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program, a multi-year collaborative project, established in 1993 with Utica College (UC) and the Utica City School District (UCSD).

The program is designed by education professionals to motivate diverse and talented students to stay in school, earn a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation, and pursue post-secondary education. Young Scholars students participate in a comprehensive program providing academic, social, and cultural enrichment.