Gifts in Action: A Donor Newsletter - August 2023
Gifts in Action:
A Donor Newsletter
August 2023
Sunshine, warm breezes, and lazy days. Summer may be the season of relaxation for most, but the pursuit of greatness never takes a vacation. RIT remained hard at work over the last few months making innovative strides across the campus, the region, and the world while also preparing to welcome incoming and returning students.
Summer is winding down and the fall semester is gearing up, but we couldn’t be more delighted to kick off the new academic year and begin writing another chapter in our university’s remarkable history—a proud narrative we couldn’t write without your support!
Because of your generosity and that of our overall philanthropic community, RIT continues to move forward with unique offerings and new ways to reach our students. Thank you for the many ways you help champion our mission of advancing the exceptional every day.
Inclusive and Accessible Learning for All
Our donors help to ensure all promising students, who want to attend RIT, have the opportunity to do so and the resources they need to succeed. Your support of scholarships and financial aid, research, diversity and inclusion, academic programs, student life, and more is key to enriching the university's landscape and fortifying our ability to be an agile and enterprising university.
Growing up in Miami, Fla. as the son of two immigrants, Brandon Stoyanovich BS ’24 was taught at a young age that he would need to figure things out on his own in life and to never depend on anyone else. It wasn’t until he moved north to study at RIT that he realized the people and supporters within the university community wanted to help him succeed.
You could say that Brandon is now one of the most prominent faces of peer mentorship, diversity and inclusion advocacy, and student leadership on campus.
Brandon is a senior, dual-majoring in mechanical engineering and anthropology and sociology. He was voted Man of the Year for the 2022-2023 academic year by RIT’s Men of Color and Ambition (MOCHA) program, has participated in many student clubs and organizations, served as a peer mentor and peer advisor, and is currently the chapter president of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.—his passion and muse. The fraternity was founded on the premise of developing “Men of Distinction” and embodying the presence, accomplishments, and reputation exuded by its brothers.
“Being a part of the fraternity has helped me gain a vision for the future,” comments Brandon. “Going from being a student to a student and a brother changed my life. It really is a brotherhood. No matter where I have traveled across the country for co-ops, conventions, and internships, there are brothers there to provide guidance and assistance. They care. They want to help each other out.”
After crossing over, or being initiated, into the Alpha Phi Alpha Mu Sigma chapter in 2021, Brandon has made it his mission to foster engagement and belonging in his chapter and beyond. He is currently one of three Mu Sigma chapter members amongst several universities located in the Greater Rochester region. Brandon works closely with the other members, fraternity alumni, and prophytes to plan special events and enrich the community through service and outreach.
Brandon is also responsible for reviewing applicants and helping to select an annual Alpha Phi Alpha Mu Sigma Endowed Scholarship recipient each year. This year marks a milestone 10 years since the scholarship’s inception.
“What I enjoy most about the scholarship selection process is having the opportunity to read through the written narrative section of the application. Each person’s individual beauty comes through in their writing. We’re giving students a space to express their true selves.”
Brandon explains that new faces in the fraternity are a key reason why the organization remains so robust and resilient. He plans to continue his work with the fraternity once he graduates with a focus on retaining members and perhaps someday becoming president of a local graduate chapter.
“The work doesn’t end when you finish college,” says Brandon. “It’s a lifelong brotherhood. Even new members have the ability and the power to make a difference and have a big say in decisions. Being a brother is foremost about always doing the right thing—even the little things in life and within your community.”
Recent graduate Amy Ottman BS ’23 may have had a nontraditional approach to college, but with a comprehensive RIT education and hands-on work experience under her belt, she moved on from campus this past May prepared to start her career.
“I wanted to come to RIT because of the reputable art programs; I really wanted to be a part of those. Now, I’m walking out the door knowing that I have a great future ahead of me,” comments Amy. “That is important to me.”
A graphic design major, Amy began her college career virtually during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She had decided to finish her four-year degree after more than 10 years away from higher education, during which she worked in childcare.
Although returning to college is not always easy for some adult students, coupled with the challenges of learning remotely, Amy dedicated her time and focus to honing her skills and connecting with her classmates. She worked on several projects outside of the classroom with Command+g Design Lab, RIT’s full-service studio supported by the College of Art and Design. Amy says she enjoyed working with nonprofit organizations and having the opportunity to create from-scratch educational pieces that resolved her clients’ challenges.
“I’ve had so many incredible experiences. My time at RIT, and especially with Command+g, has really been amazing! I’ve met many wonderful professors and students whom I’ve learned from. And, even though we were learning and working together virtually for quite some time, we have built a big family within my graduating class,” Amy says.
Included in Amy’s portfolio is a multi-page marketing brochure that she designed for RIT’s College of Art and Design. Having her tangible handiwork, in addition to the skills and competencies she gained with real-world work experience, is a valuable asset to Amy as she moves on to the next chapter. Long-term, Amy plans to work in educational design and is also considering returning to RIT in a few years to pursue a master’s degree.
“I have a passion to share what I’ve learned with others and to pass along what was provided to me as a student. I think that is an incredibly special thing to do, so I am considering obtaining my master’s degree to teach others. RIT would be the place to get my master’s; I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Donor dollars that support RIT’s student life programs permit hands-on learning and create opportunities for collaborative engagement. Committed to leading by example, scholarship recipient Tomasz Mazur BS ’25 divides his time outside of the classroom between RIT Launch Initiative, AIChE, and RIT’s Barbell Club.
Tomasz, a busy chemical engineering student, is currently the director of sponsorship for RIT Launch Initiative, a multidisciplinary student organization that designs, manufactures, and launches high-powered rockets. He also helped institute RIT’s chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE) Chem E Car, an engineering team that competes in an interdisciplinary competition using a small car that is powered by chemical reactions. The ability to work alongside others and learn from both RIT staff and students is of utmost importance to him, as he remembers being drawn to RIT for the sole purpose of gaining practical engineering skills and participating in successful student-oriented groups.
“My favorite part of these programs has been the support of new performing engineering partnerships at RIT,” comments Tomasz.
Staying on top of academics is also important to Tomasz, who was awarded a merit-based scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year. The scholarship, coupled with general student life donor support that helps fund student recreational initiatives, allows him the flexibility to continue to take part in the clubs that he loves.
“Receiving the scholarship makes a huge difference. To me, it means being able to continue my entrepreneurship with Chem E Car, which is an unpaid position, and it helps to further expand the culture of experiential learning at RIT through clubs. It’s the donors that make a huge difference in maintaining the innovative environment at RIT. Thank you for your support in making the possibilities for students endless.”
Without donor support to pursue extracurricular activities, Tomasz says he feels he wouldn’t have learned many of the life skills that he has developed.
“I have learned leadership and time management above all else,” he reflects. “I have also gained experience in budgeting, marketing, and negotiation. These are skillsets that are invaluable to an engineer, but are sometimes difficult to teach in a classroom setting.”
Tomasz has also enjoyed his time with RIT’s Barbell Club, focusing on powerlifting, learning gym etiquette, building proper training skills, and entering competitions.
In addition to donor support, Tomasz says he is grateful to RIT staff who have helped facilitate his dream of leading interdisciplinary engineering projects.
“If you have an idea for a project, the RIT staff will be there to support you with starting it,” says Tomasz. “It wouldn’t be possible without them, and in general, the culture at RIT.”
Did we mention that this enthusiastic and energetic student also recently completed an internship at Intel Corporation? Tomasz says he would “love to go back full-time and work at the interface between technology development and high-volume manufacturing” once he graduates from RIT in a few years.
Talk about tenacity! With valuable donor support, Tomasz is on to something amazing.
Scholarships provide financial support for student education and recognize the many achievements students attain by helping others and engaging within their communities. Recent awardees of the Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Endowed Scholarship, Cindy Lam BS ’24 and Jessica Shelton BS ’26, are dedicated to improving campus life, tradition, pride, and spirit.
Read more about Cindy and Jessica >
Story provided by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion
Thanks to our corporate partners, RIT is one of the top schools integrating cooperative education into degree programs for its students. Blake Fischer BS ’24 graduated with an associate’s from NTID and is now pursuing his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering technology. His co-op experience through the NTID Co-op and Career Center (NCCC) has helped instill the skills he will need in his career.
Like many college students, Caleb Moretz BS ’24 factored in his desire to play intercollegiate sports as part of choosing where to go to school. He was recruited from the Flin Flon Bombers in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League to play Men’s Ice Hockey at RIT, and with scholarship support that helps him to balance full-time coursework and a busy team schedule, he hasn’t ever looked back.
“The hockey coaching staff were incredible during the recruitment process,” comments Caleb. “They represented RIT in a way that made it impossible to turn down. The best part of being here and on the team is the champion mindset that everyone has. I’ve learned the value of putting 100 percent faith in your teammates and their abilities. Trusting that they will do their job allows me to do mine. I’ve been on many teams growing up, but none with the same mentality that the players here at RIT approach the game with.”
With an exciting (albeit somewhat dizzying) schedule, Caleb is excelling both on and off the ice. He credits the scholarship awards he has received as a fundamental reason why he is prospering.
“The scholarships I’ve received mean the world to me. Playing hockey and working towards my degree really limit the time I have available to work a job during the school year. The scholarships really lighten the load and allow me to enjoy what RIT has to offer without having a financial burden over my head.”
The goal of a college education through sports and academics is vital. Donor funding for RIT Athletics is an essential element in providing an outstanding, student-centered experience through the pursuit of academic and athletic excellence. Further, when our student-athletes are supported through scholarships, they are able to stay focused on their studies and the activities that help supplement classroom learning. These crucial offerings are key to attracting and retaining the best student-athletes. As team players, RIT’s students develop critical work-life traits, including perseverance, leadership, confidence, discipline, and effective time management skills.
“I’m so grateful to the donors who support scholarships that help students like me. There’s no way for them to truly understand the impact that it has. I have been able to explore situations that I never thought possible and take full advantage of the staff and resources that are available to me while I’m at RIT. It’s all thanks to the donors,” shares Caleb.
With a background as a student-athlete and armed with a biomedical sciences degree, Caleb plans to attend medical school after he graduates. He aspires to be an orthopedic or emergency room physician by tapping into the competencies he garnered at RIT.
College students are only able to thrive when their basic needs are met and prioritized. With the help of donors and local organizations, RIT’s FoodShare has been setting an example for the region and the nation in proactively addressing food insecurity for its campus community—students, faculty, and staff alike.
Kathryn Cilano, director of the Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement, has been working at RIT almost since the inception of RIT’s FoodShare in 2015. Over the years and evolution of the project, Kathryn has been witness to the vital impact the program has on students and the important role it continues to play across the university.
“The FoodShare grew out of wanting to combat food waste on campus leftover from events and meetings, as well as acting on student testimonies and national trends that related to food insecurity,” Kathryn says. “In 2021, we surveyed students on campus, and one-third of RIT students self-identified as food insecure. No student should ever have to be faced with deciding between paying for textbooks or buying food.”
The results of RIT’s student survey directly reflect the national data, with the National Center on Safe Supporting Learning Environments reporting an estimated one in three college students in this serious dilemma as of February 2023. Food insecurity can negatively affect a student’s ability to focus on academics, their decision to stay in school, and can be harmful to physical and mental well-being. RIT’s FoodShare center had more than 4,300 visits during the 2022-2023 academic year, with more than 800 individual users.
Kathryn and her colleagues who oversee the operation of the FoodShare—Bill St. Jean, associate director, and Natalie Robinson, FoodShare Coordinator—have dedicated their time and talents to ensuring the center can effectively serve the campus and help to create a sense of togetherness.
“What RIT does so well is recognizing that food insecurity exists at all higher education institutions and reacts to the issue head-on. The overall support we have received from the university and the community has been wonderful. Food insecurity is an incredibly isolating experience for many, and we are hoping to connect our program’s recipients and help break down the stigma surrounding this challenge. And, our individual and corporate donors have really answered the call to action! Every donation, no matter the size, makes a big difference and really does add up,” Kathryn shares.
RIT’s FoodShare is open six days a week and is located at Riverknoll on the Rochester campus, where Bern’s Closet is also housed. Bern’s Closet provides a wide array of donated professional and seasonal clothing (winter coats, hats, gloves) to serve the university. Ensuring students have clothing to stay warm in the harsh Rochester winters and a career-appropriate wardrobe helps students feel empowered and comfortable as they continue on their trajectory to success.
Over the years, Bern’s Closet has also partnered with RIT’s PRISM Center (formerly the Q Center) to help students find formal wear for the Rainbow Prom.
“Bern’s Closet is a really great space for students to find gender-affirming clothing,” says Kathryn.
With generous support that ranges from student organizations, student families, local organizations, and corporate partners, both FoodShare and Bern’s Closet remain two extremely valuable resources for the RIT campus.
“We are as strong as our community,” comments Kathryn. “These programs represent RIT’s mission of student-centered success as well as the inspiring values of our donors. We are so grateful for the continued support.”
Growing up in the 19th Ward of Rochester and at the impressionable age of 12, Parris Bryant, II BS ’14, MBA ’25 already knew he wanted to attend RIT. He was sure he wanted to enroll in one of the top local universities and decided that RIT “spoke” to his aspirations and values.
And RIT hasn’t stopped talking to him since.
As an alumnus, Parris takes a lot of pride in mentoring undergraduate students and engaging with RIT’s Men of Color, Honor and Ambition (MOCHA) program.
As a current graduate student, he’s enveloped in a world of hands-on learning opportunities.
Also an RIT staff member within the Division of University Advancement, Parris is helping build relationships with alumni and donors across the nation by educating them on the benefits of staying connected with and supporting the university.
And as a Sentinel Society member, Parris is supporting his colleagues (students, faculty, and staff) in the area he is most passionate about—diversity and inclusion.
“When I started working at RIT in November 2021, it felt really nice. I felt that I belonged here. It was a special homecoming. After graduating in 2014, I knew I still wanted to accomplish things at RIT. Now I get to see so many smiling faces on campus, experience the growth taking place, and gain a deeper understanding and meaning of how philanthropy impacts the university,” says Parris.
No matter which RIT hat he’s wearing at any given time, Parris is most vehement about generating a sense of community. Meeting other Tigers while he’s on the road for work, volunteering with multiple local organizations and the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and advising students has instilled a desire to connect with people and foster a sense of belonging.
Parris shares his perspectives with others. “I think a lot of people believe that their relationship with their alma mater is just about being asked for money. There’s no doubt that fundraising is critically important; there’s certainly a widespread misunderstanding that tuition dollars cover all university costs. But the truth is, there are countless ways to stay involved. One of my goals is to uncover those RIT alumni who would like to partner with the university, our students, and other graduates and help them understand the two-way impact that can be made.”
When he studied as an undergraduate student, Parris says he felt the strongest affiliations with RIT’s Unity House, the Multicultural Center for Academic Success (MCAS), as a member of the first cohort of MOCHA, the National Society of Black Engineers, and participating with several other clubs and societies. His personal experiences and understanding of the overall vision for RIT’s diversity and inclusion programs made it an easy choice for Parris to allocate his Sentinel gift there.
“My hope is that current and incoming students have the great, if not better, experience that I have had,” he explains. “Diversity programs are the first to be downsized or cut when money is tight at so many companies and organizations. I feel having skin in the game and being a part of the solution is important. I figured I could start by helping my most immediate community by supporting the diversity and inclusion efforts at RIT.”
Kim Conti DeGroot BS ’90 and her husband, Daniel DeGroot, understand what it means to invest in their communities—both near and far.
Local to where they live in California, Kim and Daniel have established an endowment for underprivileged kids to participate in and gain access to an array of academic and recreational activities. They volunteer their time to travel and meet with RIT alumni all over the country and help connect them to valuable university-related resources. And from the other side of the nation, they fund critical scholarship support for current and future RIT students.
It’s more than feeling a need to pay forward financial support to others, Kim and Daniel explain. It’s about gratitude.
“I was an RIT scholarship recipient when I was a student,” reflects Kim. “I was one of three children of a single, hard-working, blue-collar mother. It was because of the generosity of others—scholarships from donors—that enabled me to attend such an amazing school. I am who I am today because of my mom’s strength and the support from the donors. The message around what Daniel and I do is about thanking the institutions that helped us when we needed it, and reminding other past scholarship recipients that they are where they are today because of the donors.”
Kim remembers meeting several influential figures at RIT while obtaining her business management degree, each of whom inspired her ambition to work in real estate sales, property management, and investments. According to Kim, these interactions “planted the seed,” which would not only steer the direction of her career but help her always strive to connect with her philanthropic benefactors and beneficiaries.
“I remember meeting Burt August, a past RIT trustee. We talked for quite a while and I told him how I was able to attend RIT because of his family’s generosity. Long after that encounter, and once I became more involved with RIT as an alumna and a donor, I had an ‘a-ha’ moment. It dawned on me in new ways how important it is to thank the people who have helped you along the way. I wrote to Mr. August and we ended up exchanging hand-written letters for years until he passed away. At one point I even joked with him, saying that I had 50 years to catch up to the amount of support he had provided to RIT.”
For Kim and Daniel, philanthropy is very much an educational experience within itself.
“Our hope is that students will learn more about humility. It’s important to ask for help when you need it, and it’s just as critical that you thank the person or people who provide the help. As a society, we need to get back to saying ‘thank you’ to each other,” says Daniel.
When Kim and Daniel aren’t hard at work with their real estate businesses, they are jetting across the U.S. to various RIT alumni chapter events. Volunteering and interacting with alumni all over the country has been exciting and rewarding for Kim, who joined the RIT Alumni Association Board of Directors (AABOD) in 2008.
“Truly, RIT is for life,” she comments. “If you’re an alum, the benefits and connections don’t stop when you graduate. There are always people willing to help you, and you don’t have to be located in Rochester, either. It’s important for alumni to gather where they are and network. But, no matter your affiliation, it’s the people that make RIT so great. It’s a community that is passionate about making the world a better place.”
Paul Senior MBA '72 has been a steadfast supporter of his alma mater for over five decades. His unwavering dedication to giving back to RIT is a testament to the transformative power of education and the lasting impact it can have on an individual’s life. Paul shares his journey of gratitude, personal growth, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
Alumna Krystle Jones-Ellis BS ’09 MS ’15 is a Sentinel Society founding member. Her annual gift plays a crucial role in allowing RIT to offer scholarship aid to attract a highly talented and diverse student body while enriching the RIT experience for all students.
Recent Saunders College of Business retired professor and former Department of Management Chair Dr. Bob Barbato taught at RIT for 42 years. He recalls that his most rewarding teaching experience was in Kosovo, about 14 years ago, when the country was only one year old.
“Kosovo is the poorest and youngest country in Europe, but my students were full of confidence and entrepreneurial spirit. The students were smart and eager to learn. What struck me most was their optimism for the future,” comments Bob.
Although inspired by his students, Bob was disheartened to learn that many of them believed that an MBA program was out of their reach. He took it upon himself to help his students secure scholarship resources and even hosted international students in his home so they could pursue their MBA at RIT’s Rochester campus.
In 2021, Bob and his family instituted the Barbato Family Endowed Scholarship to provide financial assistance to RIT Kosovo undergraduates who seek a graduate degree from the Saunders College of Business.
“By creating this scholarship, I am fulfilling my commitment to helping one graduating student every year, chosen by their faculty, to come to Saunders College with at least a 50 percent scholarship in addition to the monies provided by this fund,” explains Bob. “If all goes well, the fund will continue to grow and RIT Kosovo will continue to offer the best business education in the Balkans.”
Read more about Bob and his RIT journey
Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend
October 13 - 15, 2023
Learn more about what's taking place on campus >
NTID 55th Anniversary Reunion
Friday, October 13, 2023 – Sunday, October 15, 2023
RIT/NTID Campus
Visit the official NTID 55th Reunion website for details and to register >
We are tremendously grateful for your ongoing engagement with RIT and your consistent support.
Donors like you help us meet the ever-changing needs of our campus, students, and faculty. Thank you for believing in the mission of RIT and our incredible students.