Transforming RIT

The Campaign for Greatness—$1 billion goal

Published Jul. 12, 2018

RIT displayed its signature blend of arts and technology in an evening of entertainment on July 12, which centered on a major announcement about the university’s future.

“RIT has publicly launched a $1 billion blended Campaign, the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history,” President David Munson told more than 2,000 invited guests at RIT’s Gene Polisseni Center. “The campaign will allow us to build upon our updated strategic plan, engage alumni, grow our status as a Top 100 national research university and build deeper relationships with our government and corporate partners.”

Mike Bradley ’12

RIT President David Munson announces a $1 billion blended campaign, the largest fundraising effort in university history. “We’re driving progress. We’re shaping what’s possible. We’re transforming the future, by transforming RIT,” Munson said.

“Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness” is being led by Rochester businessman Thomas F. Judson Jr., chairman of The Pike Companies, and Kevin J. Surace, CEO of Appvance Inc., an Inc. magazine Entrepreneur of the Year and a 1985 graduate of RIT.

“This campaign impacts every area of the university,” Munson said. “The Transforming RIT campaign is unique because it is blended—meaning we are seeking support from a variety of investors, including alumni and friends, government and corporate partners, and research foundations and agencies.”

The campaign, which has raised more than $530 million to date, focuses on raising funds to support four priorities:

• Attracting Exceptional Talent: This includes $200 million for increased undergraduate scholarship opportunities, enhanced diversity programs, new endowed professorships and teaching awards, and dollars for undergraduate and graduate student research projects.
• Enhancing the Student Experience: RIT seeks to raise $280 million to broaden opportunities for experiential learning for students, as well as build innovative maker and learning facilities and strengthen its performing arts programs.
• Improving the World through Research and Discovery: RIT is seeking $400 million to promote interdisciplinary research centers, expand and enhance fundamental and corporate research activities and improve facilities.
• Leading Future Special Initiatives: The $120 million goal would go toward building academic programs and growing endowment support. Munson made the announcement at a gala event produced by campaign chairman Surace that featured international recording artist Nicole Henry, Broadway stars Beverly and Kirby Ward and a 27-piece orchestra, highlighting art, multimedia and music produced by RIT students, faculty and alumni.

For more information on the blended campaign, go to www.rit.edu/TransformingRIT.