Why I Give
Bal Dixit MBA ’74 and Anita Dixit MS ’91
Your support allows RIT to provide life-changing learning opportunities for students who will transform the world around them.
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 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 as a member of the Lifetime Assistance Foundation Inc. board of directors, which works to foster 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.
P.S. As you reflect on your giving, kindly consider incorporating RIT into your estate plans. A planned gift often provides financial and tax benefits to the donor while creating a lasting and profound impact on our students.
To create a legacy of your own visit Planned Giving Resources or contact:
Hal Burrall and
Tamra Werner BS ’91, MM ’20, MS ’21
RIT Office of Planned Giving
585-475-3106 | plannedgiving@rit.edu
legacyrit.org