Helen Snell Cheel was a lifelong benefactor of Clarkson University. Mrs. Cheel, who passed away on March 18 at her home in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey at the age of 100, was a major contributor to the $14 million campus center and hockey arena, which bears her name. Mrs. Cheel’s philanthropic nature was rooted in her family. Her parents, Congressman Bertrand H. Snell and Sara Merrick Snell, made their first major gift to Clarkson in 1927 to improve athletic facilities.
Helen Cheel’s generous support of Clarkson University was evident for all to see in 1991 when she became the principal benefactor for the construction of a $14 million, 3,000-seat, multipurpose arena and campus center. Clarkson recognized Mrs. Cheel’s gift to the University by naming the Center after her. The Cheel Arena, within the Cheel Campus Center, is also the home of Helen’s cherished Golden Knights hockey team. On the occasion of her 100th birthday, Mrs. Cheel was presented with her very own #100 Golden Knights hockey jersey. In typical witty fashion, she quipped, "I will be ready now to suit up for next season." This jersey is part of the permanent display in the Campus Center honoring Mrs. Cheel. In addition to her substantial donation to the construction of the facility, Mrs. Cheel established a maintenance endowment to ensure that both the Center and surrounding grounds would be properly maintained.
At the Center’s dedication, Helen had this to say: "Clarkson has always meant a great deal to me and members of my family, so it gives me great pleasure to assist in this important endeavor. My involvement in bringing the Cheel Campus Center to reality has brought me great satisfaction and moments of joy. I feel that it has added significantly to the appearance of the campus and to campus life. While I realize it will not be possible to replicate that experience, it has led me to consider what more I might do for Clarkson."
Clarkson would not have to wait long for Mrs. Cheel to decide what more she could do for the University. In 2000 Mrs. Cheel became the primary benefactor for construction of a world-class building that houses the Clarkson School of Business, faculty offices in Liberal Arts, and the administrative offices of the School of Arts and Sciences. Construction of the Bertrand H. Snell Hall, named in honor of Helen’s father, allowed Clarkson to complete its move of undergraduate programs from the Potsdam village to the hill campus. 
In 1995 Clarkson bestowed on Mrs. Cheel an Honorary Doctor of Science degree "for her lifelong loyalty, her profound generosity as a benefactor, and her magnificent contributions to the quality of campus life at the University."
On April 16, 2005, Tony Collins, president of Clarkson University, announced a bequest to Clarkson of approximately $27 million from the Estate of Helen Snell Cheel (May 10, 1904 – March 18, 2005). President Collins remarked, "This magnificent gift does not write the final chapter of Helen Cheel’s generosity to Clarkson, but rather keeps the pages of her life with Clarkson forever open to reflect her compassionate spirit each year through the initiatives this endowment will fund as part of our ongoing evolution to excellence. Every future Clarkson student will benefit from Mrs. Cheel’s boundless generosity."
Charlie Ehrlich '56 accepts Helen Cheel's Athletic Hall of Fame plaque from Clarkson AD Sean T. Frazier
