Honored with the Delbridge Family Spirit of Philanthropy Award, Dr. Anthony S. Caprio reflects on a legacy defined by elevating others and giving back to the community he helped shape.

When Dr. Anthony S. Caprio received the Delbridge Family Spirit of Philanthropy Award from Western New England University (WNE) this fall, it was more than an acknowledgment of years of service—it was a moment that captured the essence of his leadership.

During his 24-year presidency, and in the years since, Caprio’s vision, generosity, and belief in people have helped shape the institution into what it is today. Yet what made the moment profound was not the recognition itself, but the full-circle reflection it inspired. For Caprio, the honor represented the opportunity to return to a community that gave him just as much as he once gave it. 

This annual award honors individuals whose lifelong commitment and generosity have strengthened the WNE community. For Caprio, that commitment has always been centered on one word: elevation.

To him, elevation was never about status or titles—it was about people. From the moment he arrived on campus in 1996, he saw an institution brimming with potential. He often described his first impressions of WNE as “a place that already had so much good,” yet he sensed there was more it could become.

From his earliest days, he spoke about “elevating” the student experience, the work of faculty and staff, and the opportunities for those who would one day call the University home. “Everything we do,” he shared, “should be about elevating what’s here because there’s already something very good here.”

Building a Foundation for Growth

When Caprio arrived at Western New England, he inherited a college poised for change. The campus had ambition, but it needed cohesion, a shared sense of where it could go next. “I could see immediately that this was a community that cared deeply about its students,” he reflected. “My role was to help bring people together around a common vision and move that vision forward.”

That vision became transformative, and the campus blossomed under Caprio’s leadership. During his presidency, Western New England expanded across all areas. The campus footprint and infrastructure grew dramatically with new residence halls, academic buildings, and community spaces including the University Commons and the Center for the Sciences and Pharmacy (CSP).

He viewed those projects as tools for something greater that would help foster belonging and pride. Each of the projects were never about construction alone, rather about enhancing the experiences, lessons, and relationships that would be learned within them.

Under his guidance, WNE also earned university status in 2011—a milestone that signified its evolution as a comprehensive institution offering doctoral programs and nationally accredited professional degrees. But Caprio viewed the transition as the natural outcome of a collective effort. “We became a university because of how people believed in each other and worked together,” he said.

Philanthropy as a Shared Value

The physical and academic growth of the University was matched by a new era of philanthropy. During Caprio’s tenure, WNE completed two major fundraising campaigns, each surpassing its goal and fueling scholarships, new facilities, and academic innovation.

Caprio understood in approaching both campaigns that philanthropy was not just financial; it was relational. He viewed fundraising as an act of storytelling and an invitation for others to share in the mission. “I was never selling anything,” he said. “I was inviting people to invest in a future they could believe in.” His enthusiasm and authenticity were contagious. Alumni, trustees, and friends were drawn not by pressure, but by his genuine love for the institution. When asked what he felt made each campaign so successful, Caprio did not cite numbers—he came back to the people that made it possible.

“It was about trust,” he explained. “When people see that you believe in the mission, they want to be part of it. That’s what philanthropy is—it’s a shared belief put into action.”

When recalling what motivated his own philanthropy, Caprio’s answer was disarmingly simple: “I give because I believe in what we’re doing.” Caprio’s own generosity has been deeply personal. He has contributed to a range of university priorities over the years, from scholarships to academic programs to athletics, often quietly and without fanfare.

But more than his financial contributions, it was the culture of giving he inspired that endures today. “Everyone has something to give,” he said. “For some it’s time, for others it’s mentorship, or a gift that helps a student find their path. It all matters.”

Listening to Learn

Perhaps the truest expression of Caprio’s philanthropy was the time he gave to those within the WNE community. He was known for remembering names, families, and stories. Students recall being called into his office not for disciplinary reasons, but for conversations. He wanted to know what they were thinking, what they hoped to do, and how the University could help them get there.

He approached every conversation with curiosity and care and believed that leadership started with understanding others’ perspectives. “People here care deeply about the university,” he said. “When you listen to them, you realize that everyone  including faculty, staff, students, and alumni want the same thing: to make this place better.”

His philosophy extended to students as well. He spoke with pride about the energy they brought to campus life and the sense of responsibility they developed through involvement and service. “The community is what molds this campus together,” he said. “It’s what gives the university its heart.”

The Art of Elevation

To Caprio, the idea of “elevating” was not abstract; it was practical. It meant taking what existed and lifting it higher, whether that was an academic program, a faculty initiative, or a student’s confidence. It was meant to be a transformation through connection. Whether launching a new academic program or supporting an alumni initiative, he always returned to the question: how does this lift others?

He brought that philosophy to every aspect of campus life. When the University explored new academic programs, he thought about how they could enhance the student experience and meet community needs. When new buildings were proposed, he considered how they would shape the rhythm of campus life. “A building is only as good as what happens inside it,” he remarked.

He applied the same thoughtfulness to his own giving. From supporting benches and art installations to funding scholarships and academic programs, he saw philanthropy as an act of care. “Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference,” he said. “Even a place to sit can make someone feel like they belong.”

That belief shaped every decision; from the way buildings were designed to how programs were structured. He encouraged collaboration between colleges and disciplines, knowing that innovation thrives when people share ideas.

A Spirit That Endures

As Western New England University continues to evolve, the imprint of Caprio’s leadership is everywhere—from the vibrancy of the campus to the confidence of the students. His philosophy of shared responsibility and generosity remains woven into the university’s culture.

That sense of belonging, and shared responsibility is what he hopes will define his legacy. During his tenure, he often spoke of the University as a family—a network of people connected by a shared purpose. Even after his retirement in 2020, his presence remains everywhere within the community. He continues to support WNE’s mission as an engaged donor and ambassador, driven by the same purpose that guided his presidency. “This community has given me so much,” he said. “When you love a place like this, you never stop wanting to give back.”

Receiving the Delbridge Family Spirit of Philanthropy Award, he said, was both humbling and affirming. “It’s not about recognition. It’s about seeing what we’ve built together and how it continues to thrive.”

As he reflected on his years of service, Caprio returned to the theme that has guided his work from the start. “We can always elevate,” he said. “We can always be better, kinder, and more generous. That’s what keeps this University alive.”

And for Western New England University, that spirit, and the belief in lifting others and giving forward continues to define its future.