Attracting talent and enhancing student experiences

Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness has raised a total of $673 million, two-thirds of the $1 billion campaign goal.

The unique campaign, which was publicly launched in July 2018, uses a blended approach. The campaign seeks support from a variety of investors, including alumni and friends, government and corporate partners, and research foundations and agencies.

Jeff Benck ’88 (mechanical engineering) is one of many people who have helped support this campaign.

Benck has given back in many ways, including starting the Raleigh, N.C., alumni chapter, serving on various advisory boards for Kate Gleason College of Engineering, and serving as a member of the President’s Roundtable.

“I’ve always supported things that I was passionate about. I try to direct my giving where I have a connection,” he said. “I also support institutions where I spent time and energy so that people who follow after me can have a better experience.”

For the past three years, Benck has also given financial support to students from Kate Gleason College of Engineering working on their multidisciplinary senior design projects. Additionally, he helped fund renovations for the men’s locker rooms on campus, as he was part of the basketball team when he was a student.

The blended campaign impacts every area of the university. The four pillars are: attracting exceptional talent, enhancing the student experience, improving the world through research and discovery, and leading future special initiatives.

Here are two ways that campaign gifts have impacted students:

Roxette Burgos

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Without the help of scholarships, Roxette Burgos, a third-year electrical engineering major from Buffalo, N.Y., may not have been able to finish her degree.

“There was a semester where my mother had to work overtime for weeks because I couldn’t pay off the balance on my account. I didn’t know whether or not I would be able to come back,” she said.

“This is why I appreciate everything the donors have done for all the students. Because of (donors), I’ll be the first in my family to graduate from college.”

Caroline Brodt

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Looking to gain more experience, Caroline Brodt, a second-year advertising photo­graphy student, traveled from her hometown of Centerville, Mass., to Cuba.

As part of a Photography in Cuba intensive workshop run by faculty in the College of Art and Design photography program, Brodt traveled to Old Havana, Playa Larga, and Trinidad to learn more about Cuban culture through photography.

A scholarship helped her afford the workshop experience.

“My favorite memory from the trip was interacting with the locals and capturing their colorful lifestyle. The energy that pours out into the streets amongst family and friends reveals the celebration of life that is highly valued there,” said Brodt. “This photography trip changed my life.”