From left are John Felton, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union CEO, Matthew Hoaglund, Southern Chautauqua FCU chief financial officer, a 2021 State University at Fredonia graduate, and Dr. Stephen H. Kolison Jr., SUNY Fredonia president.

FREDONIA – As the State University of New York at Fredonia prepares to publicly launch its bicentennial celebration, a new gift from the Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union will help create a lasting public expression of that milestone.

The credit union has donated $20,000 to support the development of a mural tied to Fredonia’s bicentennial, a university-wide celebration honoring the institution’s 200-year history and looking ahead to its future.

“This credit union was founded by educators, so there has always been a soft spot in our hearts for supporting educational initiatives,” said John Felton, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union. “We’ve been fortunate to have many years of success, and that puts us in a position to continue growing, investing in our future and giving back to the community that has supported us.”

Felton said the credit union looks for opportunities to support organizations that improve quality of life in Chautauqua County. In Fredonia, he said, the university’s bicentennial offered a chance to back both a historic institution and its momentum moving forward.

“Fredonia is an important pillar of the North County and of Chautauqua County as a whole,” Felton said. “We see positive things happening there, and we wanted to show support for that vision. The Bicentennial is a moment to celebrate the university’s history, but also to invest in what comes next.”

Stephen H. Kolison Jr., SUNY Fredonia president, said the gift reflects the kind of community partnership that will help make the bicentennial meaningful both on campus and beyond.

“We are deeply grateful to Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union for this generous gift and for its belief in Fredonia’s future,” Kolison said. “The Bicentennial is an opportunity to honor the people, moments and purposes that have shaped this institution for two centuries. Support like this helps us celebrate that legacy in a visible and lasting way, while strengthening the connection between the university and the community we serve.”

The mural will be located in Fenton Hall near the lifetime giving donor wall. The artist creating the mural, Erin Ruffino, is a 2019 graduate of SUNY Fredonia, and her father, Charles, earned his master’s degree from SUNY Fredonia. The 8-foot by 43-foot mural will include visual elements from1826 through today and will serve as a lasting reflection of Fredonia’s legacy and of the university’s bond with the surrounding community.

Matthew Hoaglund, Southern Chautauqua FCU chief financial officer, is a 2021 SUNY Fredonia graduate and said he experienced a campus culture that felt deeply personal.

“You could tell the professors and the people who worked there cared about students,” Mr. Hoaglund said. “They would go above and beyond for them, the same way we try to go above and beyond for our members. That’s what made this feel like such a natural connection.”

Hoaglund, who joined the credit union in 2024 and was promoted to CFO in 2025, said working at Southern Chautauqua FCU has shown him just how deeply the organization is woven into the life of the county.

“I knew the credit union had a strong reputation, but once I got here, I really saw how much Southern Chautauqua does in the community,” he said. “They’re invested in people, in organizations and in helping this region thrive. Being able to connect that commitment back to Fredonia means a lot to me as an alumnus.”