RIT Women’s Council

Women’s Council of RIT Endowed Scholarship was established in 1998. The annual distribution from this fund provides scholarship support annually to women students who exhibit a strong commitment to a high academic average while struggling with an exceptional/difficult personal or family circumstance. WCRIT members are encouraged to choose this fund for their memorial/in-honor of contributions and annual gifts to RIT.

Women’s Council/Glass Program Collaborative Scholarship was stablished in 2018 to provide scholarship support to graduate MFA students working primarily with glass in the School for American Crafts or School of Art within RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences (now the College of Art & Design, CAD).

The original campus childcare center was established in 1972 as the Horton Child Care Center through the generosity of Metha Horton in honor of her husband, Edward.  Margaret’s House was established in 1996 through the generosity of the late Alfred Davis, Vice President Emeritus, and named in honor of his wife, Margaret Welcher Davis. The program provides childcare for approximately 90 children of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. WCRIT makes an annual contribution to assist in providing tuition for children from low income families.

Wallace Library is the recipient of books or media purchased in memory of, or in honor of WCRIT members. Traditionally, the choices reflect the personal interests of the member. WCRIT also established the Women’s Council Collection, composed of books that focus on women’s issues. In addition, WCRIT has provided the financial means to preserve several of the oldest and most treasured historical records of the Institute.

Outstanding Graduating Student Award was first presented in May 1997 and acknowledges a senior who has completed her studies successfully in spite of difficult or compelling life circumstances while maintaining high academic & service achievements.  

RIT Ambulance is a community-run Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency that recently celebrated 50 years of service to the RIT campus. Comprised of state-certified students, staff, and alumni volunteers, RIT Ambulance operates a New York State Certified Basic Life Support ambulance and a Basic Life Support first response/command vehicle. In addition to emergency calls, RIT Ambulance provides standbys for concerts, sporting events, and other social gatherings for the RIT community. The WCRIT makes an annual contribution to the Ambulance Corp Fund.

Bridging the Gap Endowed Emergency Fund was established in 2015 in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Women's Council of RIT to help students with one-time unexpected emergency financial shortfalls. The fund reached its $60,000 goal in 2019 and was retired from WCRIT’s ongoing commitments.