RIT students commended for outstanding fundraising by United Way of Greater Rochester

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Deborah Stendardi

Fourth-year advertising and public relations majors Jenna Deutsch and Kathryn Sundiang accept an award presented to the RIT student body from United Way of Greater Rochester. Joining them is Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Mary-Beth Cooper at a ceremony on Oct. 4.

The RIT student body has been recognized for its “extraordinary fundraising achievement” during RIT’s 2012 campaign for United Way of Greater Rochester. Joel Seligman, University of Rochester President and 2013 Community Campaign Chairperson, presented the award on Oct. 4 to RIT students Kathryn Sundiang and Jenna Deutsch, who were accompanied by RIT Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Mary-Beth Cooper.

There were eight student-run events in which more than $35,000 was designated to various Rochester-area agencies and donated through the university’s campaign.

“The future success of philanthropy lies in the hands of our young leaders, which is exemplified by the leadership not only of these two women, but also of all RIT student groups that recognize the importance of getting involved in the community in which they reside,” notes Cooper.

Sundiang and Deutsch are both fourth-year advertising and public relations majors at RIT. Sundiang has been a member of the RIT United Way steering committee for the past three years and helped coordinate the “Change Drive” in RIT residence halls and drawings for autographed hockey memorabilia—which raised $3,100 for the United Way Community Fund. Deutsch is president of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and helped plan three 2012 events—Mud Tug, Make the Rink Pink and Think Pink Week—which raised more than $24,000.

“Our student outreach continues to grow each year not only in making them aware of what United Way is but also in getting them to join in the campus-wide effort,” says Lynn Rowoth, director of special events and RIT United Way campaign coordinator. “We never would have reached our overall goal without their involvement.”

RIT student groups that collaborated and raised more funding for the campaign effort were Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Phi Epsilon, Kappa Delta Rho and Phi Kappa Psi.

Students who would like to be involved with fundraising efforts for RIT’s 2013 United Way Campaign can contact Lynn Rowoth at 585-475-7408 or Lynn.Rowoth@rit.edu.