News
Phil Castleberry

Alumni Brandy ’08 and Luiz ’07 Freitas, founding members of RIT’s Sentinel Society, are proud that they are able to give back to the university community that means so much to them. Each year, the generosity and impact of donors are honored during RIT’s Day of Thanks. Today, all RIT donors will be sent a “thank you” video message, and faculty and staff donors are encouraged to visit the Student Alumni Union until 1:30 p.m. to pick up a special chocolate bar.

The Innovative Maker and Learning Complex will be a building like no other on the RIT campus, and an alumnus who is helping make it possible wants RIT students to give it a name to remember. A contest to name the building is for current RIT undergraduate and graduate students in good standing. Deadline for submission is March 13. Voting will begin March 18.

University Advancement has formally launched RIT’s new leadership annual giving program, Sentinel Society. The program aims to build a community of donors who make meaningful annual investments of $1,000 or more to the university.

The Doug Peacock Scholarship will provide 75 awards in total for three cohort groups of five first-year students selected from the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, College of Engineering Technology, and Saunders College of Business.

Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness, the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history, has reached a milestone. The $1 billion campaign has surpassed the $750 million mark.

Phil Castleberry, a 20-year veteran of higher education advancement, began at RIT last February as the vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, now called the Division of University Advancement. Here are his thoughts on philanthropy and engagement at RIT.

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations will become the Division of University Advancement, highlighting its focus on advancing the university’s mission.

RIT is hosting a virtual event to raise money for the COVID-19 Emergency Fund, Division of Diversity and Inclusion General Support Fund, and other funds that directly impact students. "Tigers Helping Tigers: An Event to Move Students Forward" will include pre-recorded performances from RIT students and student groups and will be streamed online.

RIT has selected Phillip D. Castleberry, a 20-year veteran of higher education advancement and fundraising, as its new vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. Castleberry, who is currently serving as vice president for institutional advancement at St. John Fisher College, was chosen after a national search. He begins his RIT duties on Feb. 1.