Livingston County students awarded Saunders College endowed scholarships to attend RIT

Beth Buehler, a graduate of Livonia High School, and Cody Rae Ziefel, a Dansville High School graduate, are recipients of this year’s annual E. Philip Saunders Endowed Business Scholarship at Rochester Institute of Technology. The students have been accepted at RIT’s Saunders College of Business, where they will begin classes on Aug. 22.

‌

Beth Buehler

Each of the recipients will receive scholarships valued at up to $100,000 over the course of four years. The award was established in 2006 by E. Philip Saunders to provide four-year scholarships annually to graduates of designated Livingston County high schools who are enrolled in Saunders College of Business. Since then, he has donated more than $2 million to Livingston County high school students. 

Candidates must demonstrate a record of academic achievement that indicates a strong potential for success in a selective educational environment. They must also be well-rounded students involved in extracurricular or work-related activities while in high school and demonstrate strong leadership potential and business skills. Buehler and Ziefel join 33 Saunders scholars who previously received the award.

“The generous support of Phil Saunders and his ongoing commitment to help support business education for outstanding students in the region is truly inspiring,” said Dean Jacqueline Mozrall. “Beth and Cody Rae are the latest to join the many extraordinary students who have been given the opportunity to attend RIT’s Saunders College of Business, and we are proud to welcome them into the RIT family.”

‌

Cody Rae Ziefel

A serial entrepreneur and owner of Saunders Management Co., Saunders is a notable philanthropist and benefactor to the RIT college that bears his name. A lifelong resident of Livingston County, he graduated from Livonia High School himself, while his children graduated from Dansville High School. He has said that these scholarships are his way of giving back to the community.

To learn more about E. Philip Saunders, the scholarship, and to see past recipients who have benefited from his generosity, visit the Saunders College of Business website.

This gift is part of Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness, a $1 billion university fundraising effort, the largest in university history. This blended campaign seeks support from a variety of investors, including alumni and friends, government and corporate partners, and research foundations and agencies. The campaign has raised $920 million to date.