Gifts in Action: A Donor Newsletter - May 2024

Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

The collective support and belief of the entire RIT community stands behind our grads as they begin new life chapters, and we acknowledge the crucial role donor support has played in their success. Thank you for your dedication and vision for our students.

Go to the Commencement video

On behalf of all RIT student-athletes and coaches, we thank you for supporting this year’s Get in the Game fundraiser. Our teams are known for vigorous performance on the field and in the classroom, and it’s because of the generosity of our biggest fans — YOU! Your gifts will enhance the student-athlete experience, including funding special team trips, equipment, and other team priorities. Thank you for helping us cross the finish line with 360 gifts, totaling more than $50,500. Wow!

Nestled among the academic buildings and student residences of RIT’s campus sits Margaret’s House, which serves university families through an innovative and inclusive approach to caregiving and learning. Margaret’s House is not just a facility—and it’s not your average daycare center—but a beacon of valuable support for the RIT community, offering a nurturing environment and dynamic early childhood education for the young children of RIT students, faculty, and staff.

Margaret’s House's history illustrates the importance of philanthropy and its positive impact on the next generation. The center’s growth and success are rooted in the charitable intentions of several donors who had deep connections to RIT and their commitment to providing a safe, inclusive ecosystem for infants and toddlers.

In addition to institutional funding through RIT, Margaret’s House operates on generous and critical donor funding, including several endowed funds established by past university presidents.

“I am very grateful for our donors and their altruism,” comments Jennifer Tills, director of Margaret’s House. “There are so many big hearts within the RIT/NTID community. It is a very caring campus. The kindness that is woven into the university's culture spills into Margaret’s House, and that makes a meaningful impression on the children. We wouldn’t be able to provide the special social and educational programming that we do if it weren’t for the donor support we receive.”

Jennifer has worked in various roles at Margaret’s House for eight years and has witnessed many improvements to the program throughout her tenure. She explains that Margaret’s House is a crucial resource for the many RIT faculty and staff who depend on consistent, flexible, and reliable daycare for their kids while they are at work. It also provides a convenient solution for parents who study and attend courses as students on campus.

Jennifer shares that scholarship funding is available each semester for qualifying RIT students who have a child enrolled at Margaret’s House.

“It's important to be able to offer some financial aid for childcare, and I’m glad we can do that. It’s the only way some people who are balancing parenting with earning a college degree can afford to do both.”

Margaret’s House funding is split equally to ensure classroom supplies, staff professional development, scholarship funding, and their unique, comprehensive, research-based curriculum are financed accordingly.

Donor dollars have been the building blocks of Margaret’s House since its beginning. The predecessor to today’s facility, originally called Horton House, was established in 1972 by Metha Horton with a generous gift made to honor her husband. Horton House underwent location and name changes in 1996 when Alfred Davis, RIT Vice President Emeritus, provided substantial funding to grow the program and build a new site on campus. Margaret’s House is named after Davis’ beloved wife, Margaret Welcher Davis.

Transformational renovations to the outdoor recreational space, Roberta’s Playground, were coordinated in 2019 by a university friend, John T. Harris, Esq., in honor of retired, longtime Margaret’s House director Roberta DiNoto, with support from the Glover-Crask Charitable Trust.

Thanks to continued donor contributions and key benefactors, Margaret’s House currently employs 18 full-time staff members and 30 student employees and serves approximately 65 children each academic semester.

In the bustling halls of academic institutions, amidst the stacks of textbooks and the hum of eager minds, lies stories of resilience, ambition, and opportunity. They are stories of college students whose dreams of higher education are made possible through scholarships and generous donor support. They are the narratives of today’s and tomorrow’s change-makers who are empowered to make an indelible mark on the world.

Meet recent RIT graduate Villareal-Rios BS ’23. Growing up, she dreamed of moving from her native Texas to the East Coast to pursue her civil engineering degree. Monserrat achieved her goal through hard work during high school as part of the Project Lead the Way program and with valuable scholarship aid to attend RIT.

“Scholarships were very important to me. Having that additional financial funding to afford college was definitely a factor in deciding where I would go,” recalls Monserrat. “In my family, discussions about money were often difficult conversations. That changed when I was offered scholarships at RIT. We talked it over and decided that going to RIT would work out well. It felt good; we no longer had to worry about how to pay for tuition, books, food, and school supplies.”

Sight unseen, Monserrat stepped foot on the RIT Rochester campus for the first time as a freshman during move-in weekend. She immediately developed friendships with other students within RIT’s International House and through the Multicultural Center for Academic Success (MCAS). She later became involved in RIT’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers chapter, tutored physics and calculus through MCAS, served as a resident advisor, worked alongside faculty as a research assistant, and completed several co-op programs—one of which led to her current job at engineering architecture firm Passero Associates. Her industrious nature, passion for learning, and desire to help others ensured a promising path to success.

Monserrat shares, “When I came to RIT, I told myself that I would make the absolute most out of my five years at school, and I feel that I accomplished that. I feel very fortunate. I graduated debt-free, all because thoughtful donors wanted to help students like me. The scholarships I received made it possible for me to focus on my studies, meet people, do the activities that I wanted to do, and explore Western New York—after I purchased my first pair of snow boots, of course!”

Andy Rosenberg BS ’24 is one of five children in his family, so when it came to affording college, he knew early on that attaining scholarships would be critical. RIT was at the top of his list of preferred schools, and the supplemental funding he was offered helped secure his choice.

“I feel that RIT is very generous with financial aid and student scholarships, especially compared to many other private schools. While applying to colleges, it seemed that RIT looked at the value of having me come here and then made it financially possible for my family,” he shares.

Andy, originally from Wakefield, Mass., earned a merit-based scholarship for each year of his undergraduate studies and was later awarded additional scholarship funds as a civil engineering technology major. With a busy schedule—including co-op programs and memberships in the American Society of Civil Engineers, Steel Bridge Team, Concrete Canoe team, and the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity —he explains that he has had the opportunity to explore his interests because of the donor support he has received.

“It’s nice that there are program-specific scholarships here and that many companies, along with individuals, back them,” says Andy. “I mean, nobody is forcing them to do that. The donors do this because they genuinely care. They are excited that students are excited about their future careers.”

Andy is certainly passionate about his field of study. Initially interested in architecture as a teen, he eventually opted for engineering, which seemed to suit him better. He toured the RIT campus with his family while in high school and recalls that he had “found his people” during the visit.

Graduating this spring, Andy is pursuing master’s degree options, but first, he considers the people who helped make his time at RIT so special.

“Scholarship support for students like me is really a big deal. I hope that donors know that, even if they don’t see the outcome firsthand or hear all the time about the impact they are making, the benefit they are providing is huge, and it’s appreciated. Students are extremely grateful—more than it may show sometimes. Scholarships mean a lot to me and to the others who are able to go to college because of it. Thank you!”

Performing Arts Scholar Bradley Galeazzo BS ’27 is eagerly awaiting the completion of RIT’s Music Performance Theater and anticipates having opportunities to appear on stage and entertain many more audiences before he graduates. A gifted vocalist and actor, Bradley says he made the right choice in coming to RIT to study electrical engineering and pursue his love of performing.

“Music has always been very important to me. I find comfort in it, and it’s helped me figure out who I am,” he shares.

Understanding his true self and identifying his interests came early on for Bradley. The Jamestown, N.Y. native was first introduced to RIT when his family attended the Imagine RIT Creativity and Innovation Festival some years ago. As a lover of anything technical—in the digital realm or new, state-of-the-art devices—Bradley was inspired by what he saw at Imagine and decided a technology-based school was his path.

Bradley reflects, “I was extremely interested in coming to RIT. Since I was a kid, I have been excited about all kinds of technological advancements. My mind was made up when I was offered a performing arts scholarship. I was so excited to get scholarship aid for doing something I love and to have the freedom to develop my musical skills.”

From his active participation in marching band and choir during high school to his involvement with RIT Singers and various musical theater performances at RIT, Bradley’s dedication to his talent is commendable. One of his most notable accomplishments was being a solo finalist in the exciting 2023 Ovation Performance Showcase.

Most recently, he delighted festivalgoers with his performance in the College of Liberal Arts’ Broadway Bake Off during the 2024 Imagine RIT—an experience that brings his RIT journey full circle.

Socially, Bradley has enjoyed meeting other students who are also in the performing arts.

“I meet such a wide variety of people from all different majors. I’ve developed a lot of friendships from the performance groups and vocal classes that I’ve taken.”

Beyond music and theater activities, Bradley is a teaching assistant and also volunteers with the Student Alumni Alliance. He starts a co-op program during the summer of 2024 and plans to join one of the engineering performance teams next academic year. Long term, he hopes to work in system controls and automation.

Laila Porter BS ’26, from Baltimore, M.D., is a passionate performer whose love for dance led her to choose RIT’s esteemed performing arts program as her stage for growth and expression.

As a new media interactive development major, Laila’s college search involved weighing institutions based on their artistic excellence and technological innovation. She was drawn to RIT because of its stellar academic reputation, built-in co-op programs, a wide array of extracurricular activities, and a community where her imaginative spirit could flourish.

“I’ve been dancing since I was three years old. It’s a big part of my life, and even though I realized it wouldn’t be my career or my major in college, I knew I didn’t want to give it up,” says Laila. She adds, “It can be hard to find creative outlets when you are in the tech field. As a Performing Arts Scholar, I’m glad to have a way to express myself. Dancing is also a healthy way for me to relieve stress.”

Laila's journey at RIT to date is marked by her active participation in the Ballet Club, Vis Viva Dance Company, and Eleve Ballet Company. These experiences, along with the exposure to various dance styles and the privilege of learning from guest choreographers, have enriched her understanding of dance and her overall college experience.

Beyond the stage, RIT offers a vibrant campus life complemented by a culturally diverse and supportive community. Laila works for the Hub Express and for Admissions as a tour guide, is a member of the Student Alumni Alliance, is a member of the Google Student Developers Club, and is a sister of Alpha Xi Delta. She especially enjoys the inclusive atmosphere in which students from all backgrounds come together to celebrate their shared love for the arts.

“Many students at RIT enjoy attending performances for musical, dance, and theater groups, even if they aren’t involved in them. It’s a lot of fun for everyone, even as part of the audience,” Laila comments. “I also find that a large number of families that I have toured on campus are intrigued with the prospect of our performing arts programs. These offerings are often a determining factor in choosing RIT.”

Through countless rehearsals, performances, and moments of creative exploration, Laila has further discovered her aptitude for dance and for leadership. The guidance of passionate faculty members and the camaraderie of fellow artists have fueled her growth, instilling in her the confidence to pursue her dreams with unwavering determination. She is also extremely grateful to the dedicated donors whose support is instrumental in growing RIT as a leading performing arts school for non-majors.

“I would like donors to know that support for the performing arts benefits the whole student body. These are important programs for the students who participate in them directly and for all the others who enjoy the arts as spectators. It’s one of the many bright spots that is unique to RIT.”

Upon graduation, Laila envisions a future where she combines her passions for dance, coding, and fashion. Her goal is to live abroad and work in coding for fashion retailers, a unique blend of her academic and artistic pursuits.

Many students opt to study a second language during high school, but a very unique few decide to make it their career. Kathryn Castoria BS ’25 is one such remarkable person who happened to fall in love with American Sign Language (ASL) and feels strongly that interpreting, along with her devotion to dance, is her calling. RIT is one of few schools that empowers Kathryn to succeed in both.

“Language has always fascinated me. While I studied both Spanish and ASL in high school, it was ASL that truly resonated with me. My teachers recognized my potential and encouraged me to consider a career in interpreting,” she reflects.

When it came to choosing a college, RIT/NTID was at the top of Kathryn’s list. It offered the ASL-English interpretation degree she was passionate about and a local community rich in Deaf and hard-of-hearing culture. She says she can see herself staying in Rochester after graduation for work. However, she also yearned for a college that would nurture her creative side. Having been a dancer since childhood, Kathryn was determined to find a campus that would provide opportunities to continue her artistic pursuits.

“Everyone needs a channel to express themselves,” comments Kathryn. “My escape is in dance. When I’m dancing, I’m not worried about any of the stressors in my life.”

Kathryn accepted RIT’s Performing Arts Scholarship and now spends her days participating in the Vis Viva Dance Company, Student Interpreting Association as a peer mentor coordinator, Student Alumni Alliance, and as president of Alpha Xi Delta. She shares that through these programs and extracurricular activities, she’s developed valuable leadership skills and has had opportunities to give back to her community—even dedicating more than 200 volunteer hours last year with various organizations, which she says has helped her “grow as an individual.”

This past semester, Kathryn had her first occasion to choreograph dance with Vis Viva.

“It’s been a great experience. I feel like I never had the opportunity to choreograph for others or learn different dance styles before. RIT is giving me the chance to try new things and new dance styles.”

Kathryn feels that performing arts programs at RIT are critical and provide meaningful and practical value for students.

“We all come to RIT for an education, but it’s also important for us to have fun and achieve more through our art. It’s great that students like myself are able to continue doing what they love because of the generosity of those who support the performing arts at RIT. It means a lot!”

Sudhakar G. “Bal” Dixit MBA ’74, and his wife, Anita MS ’91, have achieved so much side by side—both personally and professionally. Honored with RIT’s Outstanding Alumni Award in 2021-2022, the Dixits are dedicated alums who genuinely care about giving back to their Tiger community. They have served in several volunteer leadership roles at the university and are generous Sentinel Society donors and Ellingson Society members, establishing a bequest intention for the Bal Dixit Lab Endowment Fund.

Bal shares that the skills he acquired in marketing and finance as an RIT student proved invaluable in running his business, Newtex Industries, where he was the founder and chairman. He led the company as CEO until 2006. Both he and Anita feel that innovation and entrepreneurship are key to growth and success, and they hope to provide the same resources to students that RIT provided to them.

“This is our way of giving back to our alma mater and to all the young Tigers. We are here to give a helping hand. Anita and I would like to give the same kind of opportunities and the necessary education to young, aspiring students who want to build their careers,” Bal shares. “Quality doesn’t just happen. It takes integrity, hard work, and the right tools.”

In 2018, the Bal Dixit Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Fire Protection Research began providing research and testing on fire-resistant materials and systems. Today, the lab performs industry testing, research, and analysis on fire-resistant materials for product manufacturers or sellers of protective clothing, fabrics, and coatings that require flammability, heat resistance, smoke composition, and other advanced testing.

In addition to continuing his role as an emeritus member of the RIT Board of Trustees, Bal’s past work includes the Saunders College of Business Dean’s Council and Advisory Board. He received the Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award from RIT in 1992.

Anita served on RIT Women’s Council from 2011 to 2015 as program co-chair.

Outside of his leadership role with Newtex, Bal has been an active member of the Rochester community. He has served on the boards of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Rochester General Hospital, and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Upstate New York Export Council. He is a past board chairman of the Buffalo branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. He was inducted into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame in 2003.

Anita previously served on the Lifetime Assistance Foundation Inc. board of directors, which fosters independence, dignity, and respect for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to the Rochester Regional Health Gala committee, Anita also served on the United Nations Association of Rochester board of directors. This nonprofit organization promotes civic debate and discussion of global, social, and economic issues.

“RIT has given us both the tools and the confidence to do what we’ve accomplished, and we’re humbled to receive so much in return,” Anita said.

On March 21, the generous supporters of the Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars (RCS) program came together with students, alumni, and leaders from the Division of Diversity and Inclusion to celebrate the tremendous impact the program has had and continues to have on RIT students from the City of Rochester.

Student panelists shared their “one word that they feel describes what the RCS program means to them”:

• Privilege, because these students can, and are capable of, being positive products of their environment.
• Exposure, because the RCS programs provide an environment where students can see themselves succeeding in different places.
• Boundless, because RCS empowers students to be the best that they can be without limitations.
• Opportunity, because RCS gives students the time and space to find and embrace their true selves, an opportunity students may not otherwise have.
• Life-changing.

Dr. Keith Jenkins, Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, served as the event emcee. He engaged with students and alumni to share their personal accounts of participating in the program. The resounding feedback was that it all starts with the generosity of RIT’s donors, whose support not only facilitates academic success but also helps students cultivate leadership skills, resilience, and a sense of community.

The Constellation Brands Endowed Scholarship is now available to support students in both the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences (GCCIS) and the Saunders College of Business (SCB). The scholarship was established in 2021. All incoming first-year or transfer students enrolled in GCCIS or SCB are eligible for this scholarship. Students who identify as female, persons of color, and/or first-generation students are encouraged to apply. The scholarship helps foster an inclusive culture within computing characterized by diversity in background and thought.

Frank Sklarsky BS ’78, who with his wife, Ruth, has shared their philanthropy with RIT and others, is RIT’s 2024 Outstanding Alumnus. The Sklarskys have made several major gifts in recent years to support student scholarship, the Sklarsky Center for Business Analytics, and the Sklarsky Glass Box Theater. They are also founding members of RIT’s Sentinel Society, a community of leadership donors who make meaningful annual investments that support the university’s most immediate needs.

Read more about Frank Sklarsky

Watch the Outstanding Alum Award video

Saunders College of Business Expansion Dedication
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
3:30 p.m. Eastern

More details and registration information coming soon.

Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend
Oct. 18-20, 2024

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