Bruce C. Shelley ’70
A medley of adjectives is frequently used to describe SUNY ESF students: passionate, purposeful, and environmentalists rank high on the list. Students who choose SUNY ESF are typically strong in math and science, and most have found a connection to nature. Bruce C. Shelley, from the Class of 1970, fits this mold.
As a youngster, he was a Boy Scout growing up in a cityscape. When he could, he spent time in the woods — hiking and camping. As he began investigating colleges, he found the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (known at that time as the College of Forestry). Noting that he could combine his strength in science with his affinity for the outdoors at a college with reasonable tuition, he enrolled.
After graduating, Shelley worked as an environmentalist in Virginia for several years and then began grad school in economics at the University of Virginia. There he enjoyed the game club and eventually joined other members to create a business devoted to publishing games. At that point he decided that before he got another real job, he would try to make a living developing games.
Throughout his career, he worked for nearly a dozen game studios and larger companies, first in board and paper games and then computer games by 1987.
“I never got that ‘real’ job,” said Shelley. “We’ve all heard the adage that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. This has been true for me. I’ve enjoyed my career.”
Over the past 40 plus years Shelley contributed to the design or production of dozens of games, some selling multi-millions of copies. The best known are probably the original edition of Civilization and later the Age of Empires series from Microsoft, both for the PC. He still works part-time in the industry for a studio founded by ex-colleagues.
Shelley’s work sometimes took him overseas for trade shows, public relations, and contracts.
“Getting to know journalists and international developers led to invitations to speak at conferences at home and abroad,” said Shelley, who has spoken to game developers in Australia, Korea, and several European countries. “It has been an adventure.”
Shelley’s life and work have also been fruitful. As he and his wife, Barbara, considered their values and passions looking for organizations to support, Shelley was reminded of SUNY ESF.
“I was raised by educators and education ‘happened’ in my house 24/7,” said Shelley, who thanks his parents for his curiosity and appreciation of learning. “I was encouraged to ask questions and seek out the answers. I read a lot and consider myself a lifetime learner. Education has always been a part of my life, and I appreciate what it has done for me.”
Shelley is a long-time supporter of SUNY ESF’s annual fund, a member of the Robin Hood Oak Society, and recently supported the Extraordinary Aid Fund, established to assist students who are facing undue hardship because of the coronavirus.
“My tuition was a fraction of what it must be today, and it resulted in two diplomas: one from [ESF] and one from Syracuse University,” Shelley said. “I am happy to support students who want a degree and hope they enjoy their time at ESF as much as I did.”
Stephanie Specchio is the associate vice president of communications and marketing at ESF.