As a Geneseo communication major, Amy S. Tolbert ’85 found her place at WGSU and GSTV. She had started her studies to produce in television but left with a different goal.
“It was a very foundational place for me to discover my vision,” says Tolbert, “and what I really wanted to pursue —becoming a television news anchor.”
Tolbert did go on to continue her training to be a TV news anchor in Toledo, Ohio. She earned a master’s degree in radio, television and film production and then a PhD in human resources, focusing on international training—and found her forever calling.
For 34 years, she has been the founder and principal of ECCO International (Energizing Cultural Change in Organizations), helping businesses and organizations gain the knowledge and skills to build a more inclusive culture and do business more efficiently in other cultures. ECCO has 14 associates in Spain, China, Venezuela, Canada, and Ecuador. Tolbert has presented workshops and keynote speaking engagements all over the world.
As much as Geneseo is fundamental to her success, says Tolbert, so were donors. Their generosity inspired her to give annually to the College since the early 1990s.
“I was very blessed to have a number of small scholarships that accumulated and paid for much of my education at Geneseo,” she says. “I always said that I would give back. We didn’t have much income at the time. Our big night out was to find a happy hour with a free taco bar. We were not living high. I wanted to contribute and not wait. I think it’s critical to show gratitude and support others, as I was supported.”
Tolbert recently changed her annual gift to the endowed Dr. Amy Tolbert ’85 Annual Scholarship in Communication. The scholarship is awarded annually to a junior communication major with at least a cumulative and major GPA of 3.0, who demonstrates academic and co-curricular achievements and has financial need.
The most recent recipient was Josephine “Jo” Lewis, ’23, a student scholar-athlete, student mentor, teaching assistant, and presidential scholar. The endowment Tolbert created will provide at least one scholarship each year.
“Now it goes on in perpetuity,” Tolbert says, “which is phenomenal.”
