Kelly Cass Donates $50 Million to Adelphi University: “Investing in the Future of Weather Science and Communication”
Garden City, NY — April 20, 2025
In a major philanthropic gesture, Weather Channel veteran Kelly Cass has donated $50 million to Adelphi University, her alma mater. The donation is the largest in the school’s history and will fund a new weather and environmental sciences facility, scholarships for aspiring meteorologists, and advanced research initiatives focused on climate and public safety.
Cass, a trusted weather expert with decades of experience on national television, returned to Adelphi’s campus to make the announcement and unveil plans for the Kelly Cass Weather and Climate Innovation Center. The event also featured a sneak peek at a planned mural honoring her career and contributions, to be installed in downtown Garden City.
> “Adelphi gave me the confidence and education I needed to chase a career I love,” Cass said. “This gift is about creating opportunities for students who dream of doing the same.”
University President Christine Riordan hailed the donation as “historic,” noting that it will elevate Adelphi’s standing in atmospheric science education and improve real-world readiness for students entering the field.
> “Kelly’s generosity will change lives,” Riordan said. “It will help our students prepare for the evolving challenges of climate communication and weather forecasting.”
The gift will go toward building cutting-edge labs, expanding student access through scholarships, and launching outreach programs that connect science students with underrepresented communities across New York and beyond.
The mural honoring Cass will celebrate not only her work in broadcast meteorology but her role as a trailblazer for women in science.
> “This isn’t just about forecasting storms,” Cass said. “It’s about preparing the next generation to protect and inform their communities—and giving them the tools to succeed.”
