Bryant Engage Newsletter Fall 2025 by Bryant University Alumni Association

Engage

Elevate What’s Possible for Bryant students on Bryant Giving Day 2025

Bryant University is excited to announce its eighth annual Bryant Giving Day, scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

As Bryant University embarks on major developments and tackles new challenges in a rapidly evolving world, Bryant Giving Day aims to unite our global community to equip students with the resources they need to achieve their dreams.

“Bryant Giving Day is one of the most impactful events of the year. It serves as a celebration of what the Bryant community can accomplish when we unite behind our passion for elevating the next generation of Bryant students,” says David Wegrzyn ’86, P’23, Vice President for University Advancement. “By participating in Bryant Giving Day, you become a critical part in Elevating What’s Possible for Bryant. Your commitment drives momentum, allowing us to capitalize on new opportunities while equipping our students with the skills and resources

they need to succeed.”

This signature annual fundraising event provides support to more than 100 support areas across campus, including the Bryant Fund, which directs critical resources throughout the university where they’re needed most. This initiative allows Bryant to

respond flexibly and strategically to immediate needs and opportunities, and continue to evolve as a leader in innovation and growth.

READ MORE ABOUT BRYANT GIVING DAY ON PAGES 4-5!

Bryant receives $500K gift from Frank A. Stasiowski, FAIA ’75MBA and Joan M. Tomaceski to establish new MBA scholarship fund

Bryant University is pleased to announce a significant gift to establish the Frank A. Stasiowski, FAIA ’75MBA and Joan M. Tomaceski PSMJ Resources, Inc. Endowed MBA Scholarship Fund.

PSMJ Resources, Inc., is the premier business publishing, consulting, and training organization for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.

The new scholarship will support graduate students who bring a design-oriented background to their pursuit of a Master of Business Administration (MBA). It is made

possible through a generous $500,000 personal gift from PSMJ CEO and Founder Frank A. Stasiowski and his wife, Joan Tomaceski.

“Through visionary leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to educating future leaders, this generous gift from Frank and Joan reflects the very best of Bryant’s alumni community,” says President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. “The new scholarship fund honors the enduring power of a Bryant education and sets a new standard for what’s possible when you merge creativity and business.

Frank and Joan’s strong support will open doors for talented graduate students, affirming our belief in the value of interdisciplinary learning that prepares students to lead with purpose and impact.”

The fund will empower and invest in creative professionals, with undergraduate degrees in fields such as architecture, interior design, industrial design, graphic design, environmental consulting, and other

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PHILANTHROPY UPDATE

Uniting behind our students’ promise

David C. Wegrzyn ’86, P’23 Vice President for University Advancement

Happy Fall, Bulldogs! Autumn is a time for new beginnings and fresh opportunities, and no one knows that better than the Bryant community.

This September, we welcomed the largest incoming class in Bryant history — 1,064 students from 28 states and 26 countries. It’s exciting to see more students harnessing the transformative power of a Bryant education and starting a journey that will change the rest of their lives.

As Lily Kimball ’27, the ranking member of Bryant’s Student Government Association, said in her Convocation address to the class of 2029:

“There is so much to be excited about, so much to be grateful for and to be inspired by.” This sentiment rings true for Bryant students, as well as the entire campus. Fueled by the philanthropic generosity of our community, Bryant is boldly innovating at every level of the student experience with agility and purpose.

Our campus is transforming. In the last few weeks, we’ve seen students move into the new Puishys Residence Complex, the completion of the Sprague Entrepreneurship Center, a renovated Salmanson Dining Hall, the new Psychology Research Center, and the grand opening of the Navigant Credit Union Field House.

Our momentum is building. In September, Bryant was again recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s annual “2026 Best Colleges” list, where Bryant broke into the top five best Universities in the North region, while being named the 16th Most Innovative School and the 11th best Undergraduate Teaching Program in the region.

So what does all of this exciting change mean for Bryant? It means that we need your help to keep going — and keep growing.

Providing the best student experience goes beyond providing world-class academic programs. It involves having the resources to meet our students’ constantly evolving needs, to address critically important challenges as they arise, and to capitalize on emerging opportunities that set us apart as an institution.

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the Bryant community will unite behind the promise of our students for Bryant Giving Day. This year’s theme, Elevating What’s Possible, is a nod to the Bryant Fund, the annual fund that supports the most vital aspects of Bryant — from scholarships and technologically-advanced lab spaces, to staffing needs and student programming.

This year, we launched the Elevating What’s Possible Challenge, which aims to raise $1 million for the Bryant Fund. Your support at such a pivotal time in our history is a bold way to reaffirm your belief in the transformative power of a Bryant education and helps us build on the momentum that creates a lasting impact.

Most of all, your support on Bryant Giving Day shows our students that we believe in their potential – and that we will equip them with the tools to succeed.

On October 22, I hope you’ll join us by making a gift to any of the 110 support areas across the university, including the Bryant Fund. You can also help amplify our efforts by volunteering to become an Advocate (see page 4) and by talking to your network about what Bryant means to you. However you choose to participate on Bryant Giving Day, Elevating What’s Possible is a responsibility that belongs to the entire Bryant community.

OFFICIAL DEDICATION OF THE PUISHYS RESIDENCE COMPLEX SHOWCASES EXPERIENTIAL LIVING IN ACTION

Standing between the pair of new student residence buildings that now bear their name, Joe ’80 and Kathi ’81 (Jurewicz) Puishys both used the same word to describe the experience of seeing the completed Puishys Residence Complex for the first time: “speechless.”

On October 2, the couple, whose $10 million donation supported the construction of the 204-room student residences, joined family, old friends, alumni, and Bryant leadership, faculty, and students for a dedication ceremony that included the unveiling of a plaque in honor of the benefactors.

Addressing the audience, Kathi Puishys pulled out the orange Bryant ID card she was issued as a first-year student.

“On it, there’s this bright, fresh-faced 17-year-old who, if you told her back then that she would be here at a dedication with her husband, she would not believe it,” she said.

SCHOLARSHIP

> continued from page 1 related disciplines, who are seeking to enhance their impact through advanced business education.

“Over the past decade as a Trustee at Bryant, I’ve sought to help strengthen the global leadership position of the AEC industry by partnering with the nation’s leading undergraduate business school,” says Stasiowski. “This new endowed scholarship is a powerful extension of our long-standing commitment to excellence in the business of design — and to ensuring our industry leads not only in creativity, but in strategy, performance, and global impact.”

Tomaceski adds, “This scholarship is deeply personal for us and reflects our belief that a strong business education will be a life-changing opportunity for professionals in creative and design-oriented fields. By offering this financial support, we hope to inspire emerging leaders in the field to bolster their leadership and management skills through the Bryant MBA.”

The scholarship is specifically intended for students enrolled in Bryant’s in-person MBA program

DONOR AND STUDENT CONNECTIONS

“When I look at this card, two words come to mind: golden ticket. It was a golden ticket to this university, to my life,” she said, alluding not just to the couple’s success but also to the fact that she and Joe met on campus. Addressing the students in attendance, Kathi added, “We all have a golden ticket within us just by being associated with this great institution. And you never know where that golden ticket will take you.”

To learn more about the Puishys Residence Complex, read the full story at news.bryant.edu.

“This new endowed scholarship is a powerful extension of our long-standing commitment to excellence in the business of design — and to ensuring our industry leads not only in creativity, but in strategy, performance, and global impact.”

FRANK A. STASIOWSKI, FAIA ’75MBA

and will be awarded with a preference for candidates who have demonstrated high academic achievement. Additional consideration will be given to lifelong learners who have completed graduate certificates in a design field that help build toward the MBA.

“This gift recognizes Bryant’s innovative, interdisciplinary, and impactful graduate programs which empower graduates to drive change, overcome obstacles, inspire others, and shape their careers with confidence,” says Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D. “I’m grateful to Frank and Joan for their commitment to empowering Bryant MBA students to lead with vision and strategy in the AEC industry.”

On October 2, Bill Conaty ’67, ’22H met with Cristina Jimenez Castillo ’29 and Landon DeMedeiros ’29, the first recipients of the Conaty Scholars Endowed Fund. The students shared details about their first month at Bryant, including their classes, student clubs, and activities. Bill discussed his rise to leadership in his company and how Bryant helped to shape his career path after graduation. Last year, Bill and his wife, Sue, established the fund to support high-achieving, first-generation students on their academic journeys.

Bryant Athletics enters new era with Navigant Credit Union Field House

It’s two hours before the Bryant Bulldogs play their home opener against Bentley University and spirits are high among the football team. But Defensive Lineman Hollis Dirstine ’29 still found a moment to talk to a young fan in the stands of the new Navigant Credit Union Field House.

September 13, 2025 marked the opening of the state-of-the-art, 43,000-square-foot field house, which was custom-built to empower Bryant student-athletes to achieve peak performance and to provide a next-level fan experience for the community cheering them on.

“The new field house is a step above,” said Dirstine. And he’s excited to show it off. “We all want to put on a show for the fans.”

As Christano Andrade ’03 and Lindsey Gamble ’10, former Bryant football players themselves, tour the field house before the game — including the brand-new press boxes and fully-equipped training rooms — they take a host of pictures, capturing the moment. They also find themselves comparing the new amenities to what they had — not out of jealousy, but excitement for the future.

“I think it’s amazing,” said Gamble. “Seeing Bryant now, the school, the athletics programs, and the facilities just keep getting better and better. I think all of us are really proud to say that we went here.”

That sense of pride extends throughout the entire Bryant community, Bill Smith, Vice President of Athletics and Recreation, noted at the field house ribbon cutting. “I am just so incredibly grateful to work at a school that understands and values the importance of athletics and making sure student-athletes have what they need,” he shared.

Navigant Credit Union was Bryant’s first corporate athletics sponsor, Smith said, and that partnership has since blossomed into something incredible — and “a transformational gift to Bryant that has made this incredible facility a reality.”

Bryant’s partnerships with community and corporate leaders like Navigant have been a key factor in the university’s rising rankings and reputation, reflected Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D.

Proclaiming it a good time to be a Bulldog, he noted recent university achievements like winning the America East Commissioners Cup and welcoming the university’s largest class to campus. “The reason we were able to do this is simple: It is because we’re Bryant University, which means we’re focused on students, and we’re focused on student success,” he stated.

The opening of the new field house comes at a time of incredible growth for the school, said Gittell, the result of a Vision 2030 Strategic Plan that has positioned the institution to redefine higher education. “This facility is a bold statement about who we are and, maybe more importantly, it’s a bold statement about where we are headed,” Gittell stated.

Kathy Orovitz ’04, president and CEO of Navigant Credit Union, lauded the shared vision that brought her company and alma mater together. “We got behind Bryant’s Vision 2030 a long time ago, and they’re just flawlessly executing. So, we’re along for this ride with you,” she said.

The Field House, Orovitz noted, was a perfect symbol of the partnership, which extends beyond the field house to include paid internships, leadership programs, and an office on campus to help students with everything from personal finances to class projects.

“This is about more than just putting our name on the building — although that is pretty cool,” Orovitz remarked with a smile.

On Saturday, September 13, Bryant went on to beat Bentley in a 42-6 victory at home. Read the full story at news.bryant.edu.

To learn more about access to benefits like premier Black & Gold Club seating at the Navigant Credit Union Field House, scan the QR code.

ALC CORNER

Even with the crisp air and changing of the leaves, for me, fall really begins when we gather back on campus for Reunion@Homecoming. It was incredible to see nearly a thousand alumni, friends, and community members at this year’s event — our biggest Reunion@Homecoming ever — sharing memories, laughs, and celebrating important milestones together.

As I walked around campus and saw the excitement of the weekend unfold, I was reminded of the impact our community has on one another. I thought about the professors, advisors, and classmates who helped open doors for me and encouraged me to take the next step in my career. Those moments shaped my future after graduation, and they are an important part of the alumni experience that we can all pay forward to future generations.

That’s why I’m excited to share an opportunity for all alumni to create those moments for today’s students through the BRYANT CONNECT Mentorship Program. Starting this fall, current students have the opportunity to enroll in three different mentorship programs: Women in Leadership, Women in Finance, and Communications (open to all members of the marketing, PR, and creative industries), which connect them to Bryant alumni who are established in their fields. While mentors do provide career advice, they also help connect students to internships, open pathways to experiential learning opportunities, and give students the confidence to pursue new challenges.

As more students register for the program, we need alumni in all fields from Accounting to Team and Project Management (and every program in between) to mentor them. Our goal is to provide mentorship communities tailored to various areas of study. These mentor groups work in tandem with Bryant’s curriculum, providing students with hands-on learning experiences that demonstrate what it’s like to work in their chosen field.

Next semester, we’ll offer mentorship programs in Sales and Entrepreneurship, and need alumni who have their own businesses or sales backgrounds to participate. We’ll also have a special program for the Ellen Wilson Leadership Fellows, where mentors of all backgrounds and specialties are welcome to share their experience.

Experiential learning is at the core of a Bryant education. Every time you answer a question, make an introduction, or offer insight into your career path, you’re helping a student gain the kind of real-world perspective that textbooks simply can’t provide. These connections often evolve into internships, job leads, or lasting professional relationships — concrete opportunities that propel Bryant students forward in their careers and lives.

BRYANT CONNECT makes it easy to get involved. If you haven’t registered for BRYANT CONNECT, I encourage you to do so and check the box to “opt-in” to be a mentor. Current members can change their settings from “seeking mentorship” to “offer membership” by keeping their profiles up to date. That way, when we’re ready to launch a mentorship program in your field, we’ll tap you on the shoulder to be a mentor and get involved.

Bryant alumni all carry with them the Bryant spirit — the pride in our tight-knit community, and the incredible feeling that comes from walking through the archway upon graduation. This community — our community — is what makes being a Bryant alum so special. For students, having an alumnus in their corner means guidance from someone who understands both the Bryant experience and the realities of the professional world. For alumni, it’s a rewarding way to give back and to keep our network strong.

Mentorship strengthens the entire Bryant community. When alumni guide students, students succeed, and the network as a whole becomes more vibrant and resilient. Mentorship is a cycle of support that benefits us all, and I encourage you to get involved. Scan the QR code below or head to BRYANT CONNECT and make sure the option to “Offer Mentorship” is checked on your profile!

For more information on the mentorship program, please reach out to Jessica Dang ’16, Senior Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement at jdang@bryant.edu.

SAM BROOMER ’93, P’25 PRESIDENT, ALUMNI LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

MENTORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We need Bryant alumni to provide guidance and support to current Bryant students throughout their education. Scan the QR code to learn more about how you can get involved.

BRYANT GIVING DAY — OCTOBER

ELEVATING WHAT’S POSSIBLE FOR BRYANT STUDENTS

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“Participating in this important annual fundraising event helps ensure that Bryant continues to rise in rank, reputation, and student success.”

ROSS GITTELL, P h .D., BRYANT UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

unlock when donor goals are met. More details about all-day challenges will be added closer to Bryant Giving Day.

Each year, these challenges create a sense of friendly competition, motivating greater participation and amplifying the collective impact of the day.

CAMPUS CELEBRATION

“Bryant Giving Day is a testament to what our community can achieve when we unite behind the promise of our students,” said Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. “Participating in this important annual fundraising event helps ensure that Bryant continues to rise in rank, reputation, and student success. Giving Day is an opportunity to demonstrate your Bulldog pride and commitment.”

ENGAGING AND EXCITING CHALLENGES

This year’s Bryant Giving Day will feature a range of hourly and all-day challenges designed to maximize impact and excitement across different support areas. Donors can participate in hourly challenges and special IMPACT Hours that unlock bonus dollars for their favorite initiatives.

The Participation Leaderboard and Black & Gold Leaderboard challenges allow donors to track their favorite support areas’ progress and help them compete for a portion of $100,000 in bonus dollars. Each gift adds to that area’s unique donor count and helps them earn a larger share of the bonus dollars, celebrating the power of collective giving.

The Participation Leaderboard challenge will include the Bryant Fund, Academic & Teaching Excellence, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business, School of Health & Behavioral Sciences, Community & Belonging, Student Life, and Scholarships.

The Black & Gold Leaderboard Challenge will include Black & Gold Men’s and Women’s Varsity teams, and Black & Gold Club Sports.

In addition, certain support areas will participate in all-day challenges that

The Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center and the Unistructure Rotunda will become the hubs of Bryant Giving Day celebrations and excitement. Bryant Giving Day will feature a lively mix of activities throughout the day, including a plethora of food options, interactive games, student-led initiatives, and a variety of raffles and giveaways. These events will energize and engage the campus community, enhancing the overall excitement of the day.

A RECORD-BREAKING LEGACY

The success of Bryant Giving Day 2024 set new records, with more than $3 million raised from 5,383 donors and 6,568 gifts to more than 100 different support areas. This extraordinary achievement highlighted the incredible generosity of the Bryant community and provided powerful momentum for this year’s event.

GET INVOLVED

Bryant Giving Day advocates are mobilizing their networks to encourage support and compete for additional prizes, further driving the day’s success. Their enthusiasm will help create a powerful wave of support and foster a sense of community and shared purpose. Visit our website to become a Bryant Giving Day Advocate and support the area of Bryant that means the most to you.

To learn more and discover how you can be part of Elevating What’s Possible for Bryant’s future, scan the QR code below to visit our Bryant Giving Day 2025 website or contact the Bryant Fund team at givingday@bryant.edu or call 1-877-353-5667.

Join us on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, as we come together to Elevate What’s Possible and make a lasting impact on Bryant University. Your support is essential in advancing our strategic goals and shaping the future of our institution.

Get involved: Be a Bryant Giving Day Advocate

It’sthat time of year again! Bryant Giving Day is right around the corner, and this year, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the university will unite for 24 hours to Elevate What’s Possible for Bryant — and we need YOU to help make it happen.

Bryant Giving Day is a global effort driven by advocates, members of our community who connect with their networks to spread the message and encourage others to give. Advocates sign up online and select a support area that holds the most significance to them, such as the Bryant Fund, Black & Gold Athletics, or the College of Business, and raise funds throughout the day for that area. Advocates help by getting the word out about Bryant Giving Day, helping Bryant reach its goals, and, of course, having fun while they’re at it.

“Advocates play a vital role in amplifying our impact by spreading awareness, energizing the community, and raising funds toward areas that mean the most to them,” says Annual Giving Officer Hannah Ratcliffe ’19, who leads the Bryant Giving Day advocate program. Last year, 499 advocates were responsible for raising $207,512 from 3,244 unique donors across 3,763 gifts.

Advocates are also eligible to win great prizes for their participation. For example, in the You + 2 Challenge, advocates must make a gift and encourage two additional donors to give through their fundraising link before the end of Bryant Giving Day. If advocates complete the challenge, they’ll get some exclusive Bryant University swag.

Signing up to be an advocate is easy. Scan the QR code to register online to explore support areas, customize your advocate page with stories and photos, and share your page with your network to promote Bryant Giving Day.

Find Tupper and Win Bonus Dollars!

Students, faculty, and staff have the chance to win extra bonus dollars for their favorite area on campus!

On Bryant Giving Day, hidden throughout campus will be 10 Tupper plushies, each with a card that could be “cashed in” to win bonus dollars, ranging from $50-$500.

Amanda Whitham ’21, co-chair of the Bulldogs of the Last Decade (BOLD) Committee, has been a Bryant Giving Day advocate since her time as an undergrad. She has a few tips for new advocates looking to make an impact on Wednesday, October 22, this year.

1. Choose a support area that you’re passionate about. “It should be something that lit you up inside when you were at Bryant,” she says. “I thought about the community that I felt most connected to, and as a former student-athlete, that was Black & Gold Athletics. When you’re passionate about what you’re fundraising for, it shows through to other people, too,” she adds.

2. Use social media to connect with your network, especially former classmates. “I typically make a post on LinkedIn and ask people to leave a comment with one of their favorite Bryant memories. These make great conversation starters and get people thinking about how their time at Bryant impacted them,” Amanda says.

3. Make the ask in a way that feels personal to you. “I like to ask my classmates to join me in paying it forward by contributing $21 for our class year. But even if someone isn’t able to give, I always ask them to repost or share to one other person – it’s a meaningful way to pass along the message and be a part of the Bryant Giving Day.”

Not only will they be able to win bonus dollars for an area of Bryant that means the most to them, but they can also take

Make a Lifetime of Difference in 24 Hours

Nora Marzocchi

Senior

Director,

Annual Giving & Donor Relations equipment for our new Makerspace, and addressing urgent needs like expanding wellness services or providing emergency aid to students.

Here’s a reality that’s easy to overlook: Tuition only goes so far. The cost of delivering an exceptional education — from cutting-edge labs and innovative classroom technology to recruiting world-class faculty and offering robust financial aid — extends far beyond what tuition and fees cover. That gap is closed by philanthropic support through the annual fund, also known as the Bryant Fund.

The Bryant Fund directs financial support to where it’s needed most throughout the university. Unlike designated gifts, which are tied to particular departments or projects, contributions to the annual fund can be used to address unforeseen challenges and critical priorities based on the needs of our students.

Each year, our community rallies around a powerful global fundraising event: Bryant Giving Day. Held this year on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Bryant Giving Day is a 24-hour celebration of generosity, pride, and our collective belief in what our students can achieve. This year’s theme, Elevating What’s Possible, speaks directly to why this day is so vital to the Bryant community. Support for the Bryant Fund allows the university to act flexibly when different needs arise. These funds enable us to seize opportunities, like building a new residence hall to meet the need of growing enrollment, purchasing

Making a gift to the Bryant Fund on Bryant Giving Day is a powerful act of community that funds strategic initiatives, fuels ambitions, and propels our students’ dreams.

These funds also shape the day-to-day experience of every Bryant student in a multitude of ways. When you see a student staying late in the library, participating in campus-wide events like the Day of Understanding, or using state-of-the-art equipment in a lab, the Bryant Fund is often at work behind the scenes. It keeps classrooms vibrant, resources accessible, and opportunities within reach for every single Bryant student.

Bryant Giving Day is our chance to come together and strengthen this essential foundation. For one day, the power of our generosity is on full display. Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends from around the globe give what they can, and together their support becomes something transformative. Every gift — large or small — helps unlock challenges, inspires others to give, and pushes us all toward one shared goal: to Elevate What’s Possible for our students.

As the Senior Director of Annual Giving, I get to see the ripple effect of these gifts every day. I see it in the curiosity sparked in a first-year student, the pride of a graduating senior, and the gratitude of faculty who are empowered to dream big.

This Bryant Giving Day, I invite you to join us. Make your gift. Be part of something bigger. And together, let’s Elevate What’s Possible.

Hourly Challenges

Every hour brings a new way to Elevate What’s Possible! By giving to the area that means the most to you during these hourly challenges, you’ll help them compete for bonus dollars. Challenge details are listed below*, with each time indicating the start of each challenge. All challenges run for one hour in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

12:00 AM

FIRST BULLDOG DONOR CHALLENGE — $1,500

Be the first to Elevate What’s Possible! The very first donor on Bryant Giving Day will unlock $1,500 bonus dollars for their support area.

8:00 AM

BRYANT FUND & ALUMNI IMPACT HOUR — $4,000

Calling all Bryant alumni! When 25 alumni make a gift between 8–9 AM EDT, $4,000 bonus dollars will be unlocked for the Bryant Fund: Where It’s Needed the Most.

9:00 AM

FACULTY & STAFF DONOR CHALLENGE — $2,000

Faculty and staff, this is your moment! Between 9–10 AM EDT, the support area with the most unique faculty and staff donors will unlock $2,000 bonus dollars to elevate Bryant.

10:00 AM

SCHOLARSHIP IMPACT HOUR — $4,000 Elevate access to a Bryant education! Between 10–11 AM EDT, the Scholarship fund with the most unique donors will earn $4,000 bonus dollars.

11:00 AM

PARENTS DONOR CHALLENGE — $2,000

Bryant parents, unite! Between 11 AM–12 PM EDT, the support area with the most unique parent donors will win $2,000 bonus dollars to help elevate student opportunities.

12:00 PM

BLACK & GOLD ATHLETICS IMPACT HOUR — $2,000 EACH Tupper’s favorite challenge! Between 12–1 PM EDT, the men’s Black & Gold varsity team, women’s Black & Gold varsity team, and the Black & Gold club sport with the most unique donors will each win $2,000 bonus dollars.

1:00 PM

STUDENTS DONOR CHALLENGE — $2,000 Students, it’s your turn to shine! Between 1–2 PM EDT, the support area with the most unique student donors will unlock $2,000 bonus dollars. Your gift proves Bulldogs lead the way in Elevating What’s Possible

*To enter the “Finding Tupper’s Friends Social Media Challenge,” visit our Bryant Alumni Facebook page (facebook.com/bryantalumni) and post your photo as a comment under our post. You can also participate by posting a story and tagging @Bryant_Alumni on your Instagram! Remember to include your support area in your post. On Instagram, your profile must be public to be viewable.

2:00 PM

ACADEMICS IMPACT HOUR — $4,000 EACH Hit the books and elevate academics! Between 2–3 PM EDT, the College of Business, College of Arts & Sciences, and School of Health & Behavioral Sciences support areas with the most unique donors will each unlock $4,000 bonus dollars.

3:00 PM

ADVOCATES DONOR CHALLENGE — $2,000

Bryant Giving Day Advocates, this one’s for you! Between 3–4 PM EDT, the Advocate who inspires the most unique donors will earn $2,000 bonus dollars for their support area.

4:00 PM

STUDENT LIFE AND COMMUNITY & BELONGING IMPACT HOUR — $4,000 EACH Life at Bryant goes beyond the classroom! Between 4–5 PM EDT, the Student Life and Community & Belonging support areas with the most unique donors will each win $4,000 bonus dollars.

5:00 PM

FINDING TUPPER’S FRIENDS CHALLENGE — $1,000 Tupper wants to meet new friends! Between 5–6 PM EDT, share a photo of your pet in Bryant gear. The winner will earn $1,000 bonus dollars for their support area. (*See additional instructions below.)

6:00 PM

YOUNG ALUMNI DONOR CHALLENGE — $2,000 Bulldogs of the last decade — this is your hour! Between 6–7 PM EDT, the support area with the most unique young alumni donors (Classes of 2015–2025) will unlock $2,000 bonus dollars.

11:59 PM LAST BULLDOG DONOR CHALLENGE — $1,500

Your LAST CHANCE to Elevate What’s Possible! The very last donor on Bryant Giving Day will unlock $1,500 bonus dollars for their support area. SCAN

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Richard ’82, ’87MST and Louise Carriere

FOUR DECADES OF GIVING BACK

For decades, Richard ’82, ’87MST and Louise Carriere have made philanthropy a cornerstone of their lives. Their involvement with Bryant University started with volunteering for alumni telethons and evolved into 42 years of annual support for the institution that shaped their future.

From the moment Richard graduated, the couple saw giving back as an investment in the university community. Their generosity — paired with decades of volunteer service through organizations like Habitat for Humanity and United Way — reflects their shared belief that strong relationships and consistent support are what keep Bryant thriving. We sat down with the Carrieres to learn more about what inspired their continued commitment to Bryant, and why they believe every alum has a role to play in uplifting the next generation of students.

What role has Bryant played in shaping your lives?

RICHARD : Bryant taught me that it’s not all about the technical aspects of what you do, it’s really about the lifelong relationships that you build. I had very good relationships with my professors, and some of them, like Patrick Keeley, Michael Lynch, and Chet Piascik, even came to our wedding. We were fortunate to have friendships with past and present Bryant leadership. Those relationships carried into my career and into our lives.

Why did you decide to begin giving to Bryant so early in your career?

RICHARD : We saw it as an opportunity to belong to and invest in a growing network. Giving at the President’s Leadership Council level when I was two years into my career, recently married, and starting to build our new home was a sacrifice. Bryant helped me with scholarships — I had to do the same for other students. Bryant is one of the reasons for my success in all three of my careers: public accounting, executive recruiting, and wealth management.

LOUISE : We also saw it as a way to benefit our family and the next generation of students. Richard received an excellent education here, and we wanted to ensure more quality students have the same opportunity.

Why is giving back important for alumni?

RICHARD : It’s important that the best students are able to afford this education because when students succeed, so does the whole Bryant community. Giving enables us to have a diverse alumni base, and it provides future business leaders a little extra financial help to have this opportunity.

LOUISE : Richard received scholarships during his time at Bryant. We see it as more than charitable giving; we see it as paying it forward.

The two of you are also deeply involved in volunteer work. Can you share more about the causes you support?

LOUISE : I’ve been with Habitat for Humanity for 15 years now. I started as their bookkeeper, then moved into helping with fundraising and construction support. Today, I do just about every aspect of the building process, including working with volunteer students from Bryant.

RICHARD : We’ve always worked together. Louise is a phenomenal fundraiser for Habitat. Philanthropy has always been part of our lives. In my career as a wealth manager, I help clients think about giving. We also support causes close to us, such as United Way, Butler Hospital, Hope Health, and the Double H Ranch, a summer camp for critically ill children in Lake George. We look at what’s important to us, and we help those organizations. We are thankful for the blessings we have.

What advice would you share with alumni who aren’t sure where to start giving back?

LOUISE : Start small. Even a little bit makes you a part of something bigger. As you grow in your career, reassess and see where you can do more. The important part is staying connected to Bryant and helping future students succeed.

RICHARD : As alumni, supporting Bryant is the best thing that we can do — the circle of giving is what keeps the university strong. A strong Bryant University benefits us all.

THANK A DONOR DAY

On September 24 and 25, hundreds of students gathered in the Rotunda for “Thank A Donor Day” to show appreciation to donors who help make their Bryant education possible.

“Support from the Bryant community is integral to providing

students with the opportunities to learn, grow, and take advantage of everything Bryant has to offer,” says Connor Shirshac, annual giving associate, who led the event. “We wanted to make it simple and fun for students to thank the donors who have impacted their Bryant experience.”

Open to the entire Bryant community, students expressed their gratitude through hand-written postcards and video testimonials that detailed highlights of their time at Bryant, including involvement in clubs, student organizations, and athletics. Students who participated in the event received a free professional headshot and were entered to win themed raffle prizes.

Judi (Dawson) Mack ’68: A PERMANENT TRIBUTE TO A LIFELONG FRIEND

Imether over the telephone in 1966,” says Judi (Dawson) Mack ’68 of Maida Fishman ’68. “She needed another two-year roommate, and she got me. We clicked immediately. It’s probably one of the fondest memories I have.”

Judi and Maida quickly became inseparable in Allen House, their dorm on Bryant’s Providence campus. Together, they rushed down the stairway with 35 other women in a mad dash to get to their 8 a.m. classes, competed for washing machines in the dormitory basement, and bounced Jell-O for sport in the dining hall.

Judi’s Bryant education also gave her the skills to step confidently into the workforce. She interviewed with three top law firms in her hometown of Bridgeport, Conn., and was hired at one of the city’s most respected offices.

Judi soon formed a tight-knit community within the Legal Secretarial program. Maida, a Teacher Education major, brought Judi to Hillel breakfasts, where she remembers trying new foods and learning about Jewish culture. After class, they both rushed back to Allen House to watch soap operas, share snacks, and swap stories about their days.

After classes ended for the academic year, Judi affectionately remembers the Fishman family “adopting her” over the summer, inviting her to spend time with them at their home on Long Island, New York.

Their friendship lasted decades after graduation, including through Maida’s career rise through the Manhattan school system to eventually become an assistant principal. After Maida’s unexpected passing in 2000, Judi established the Maida L. Fishman ’68 Endowed Scholarship Fund through a gift from her estate in Maida’s honor.

“I want students to know that someone will do something nice for you, like she and her family did for me,” Judi says. “You’re all the better for knowing someone that becomes so important to you. I want her remembered, and I’ll remember her daily, but I hope the students that receive this scholarship will know that somebody was out there and thinking of them, too.”

“They had never hired someone with a degree before,” she recalled. Bryant’s two-year and four-year programs in Secretarial Studies and Office Administration were powerful market differentiators in those days, especially for women graduates for whom opportunities in business were limited. “When they asked why they should hire me, I said, ‘Because you can be assured I’ll never spell your name wrong.’” She was joking–the attorney’s last name was Dawson, just like hers. That job opened doors to a long, successful career. After her boss’s untimely passing, she went on to work for his son, a hedge fund manager. For more than 30 years, she navigated the fast-moving world of finance. Along the way, she earned both a paralegal associate’s and a bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University, all while working full time.

Yet through all her professional success, Judi never forgot the foundation she built at Bryant or the friendship that made those years unforgettable. For Judi, the Maida L. Fishman ’68 Endowed Scholarship Fund is a reminder of what Bryant gave her.

“Going to college gives you the ability to see the world from many different viewpoints, not just the four walls you grew up in,” she reflects. “You should open your mind to everything that’s out there.”

Judi (Dawson) Mack ’68 Maida Fishman ’68

IN MEMORIAM

Karen Fisher passed away in late August 2025. A beloved member of the Bryant community, she and her husband, Mike, had a long and distinguished record of service to the university. Members of the Bryant Leadership Council, 1863 Society, and the Jacobs Society, which comprises benefactors who have contributed $1 million or more to Bryant, the Fishers established the Karen L. and Michael E. Fisher Scholarship for Athletic and Academic Excellence and were honored with the Outstanding Alumni Philanthropist Award in 2022. In recognition of their exemplary leadership and support, including their service as co-chairs of Bryant’s Expanding the World of Opportunity capital campaign, Bryant officially dedicated the Michael E. ’67 and Karen L. Fisher Student Center in their honor in 2013.

Phantom Farms Brewing debuts Bulldog Lager

BryantUniversity Athletics and Phantom Farms Brewing are proud to announce an exciting new collaboration to create a limited-release craft beer that will be available at home football games this season. This partnership holds special significance as the owner of Phantom Farms Brewing is a Bryant alumnus and lifelong Smithfield resident.

“ This new partnership will serve as a toast to our great alumni and passionate fans from coast to coast and around the world supporting Black & Gold.”

BILL SMITH, VICE PRESIDENT FOR ATHLETICS AND RECREATION

Wayne Raymond Jewett ’93MBA passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Wayne was an academic scholar and believed strongly in the value of higher education. After receiving his MBA, he worked at Bryant for 20 years in the Bursar’s office before retiring in 2023.

Clarence “Mick” Bixler ’67 passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, in Cedar City, Utah. Upon his graduation from Bryant, Mick served two tours in Vietnam with the United States Navy and continued in the Reserves until 1973. After more than 50 years as a stockbroker, Mick’s love for the arts and theater took center stage during his retirement.

We regret that we don’t have space in Engage to celebrate the lives of all alumni who have passed away. Please visit alumni.bryant.edu/inmemoriam for complete lists by class year.

ALUMNI NOTES

Melissa (Wood) Radcliff ’90 was selected to present a session at the 7th Annual Ann Adalist-Estrin Memorial National Children of Incarcerated Parents Conference in Phoenix last April.

Darren Violette ’02 , a Principal of Profectus Financial Partners, has been named a first-time Executive Club qualifier by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America®

Alex Burns ’10 has been named a Leaders Club qualifier by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America®

Liane Varipapa-Page ’95 helped set the Guinness World Record for Largest Pizza Party with her company Big Green Truck Pizza in New Haven, Conn. on September 12, 2025.

Enter a class note through our online directory at alumni.bryant.edu

On August 30, 2025, Paige (Derlinga) ’20 and William Tondo ’19 tied the knot in a fitting tribute to where their love story began: Bryant University. In a special ceremony surrounded by their family, the couple exchanged vows at the Ronald K. and Kati C. Machtley Interfaith Center and snapped photos under the archway.

“The Machtley Interfaith Center holds a special place in our hearts — it was the first church we attended together, and it has remained a

spiritual anchor for us since our time on campus. Being married there feels like a meaningful full-circle moment and a sacred way to honor where our journey began.”

The following day, surrounded by fellow Bulldogs, the Tondos celebrated their wedding at the Wyndam in Middletown, RI.

AUGUST 30, 2025 | CEREMONY AT MACHTLEY INTERFAITH CENTER, BRYANT UNIVERSITY | RECEPTION IN MIDDLETOWN, RI

Paige (Derlinga) ’20 and William Tondo ’19

“Partnering with my alma mater is both an honor and a full-circle moment,” said Jason Macari ’90MBA, Owner of Phantom Farms Brewing. “To be able to collaborate with such a prestigious university while highlighting our taproom just minutes away from campus is incredibly exciting.”

As the newest member of Bryant’s growing corporate partnership program, Phantom Farms will have official naming rights of the Phantom Farms Brewing Beer Garden during home football games at Beirne Stadium starting this fall.

“We are so excited to partner with Phantom Farms and Jason Macari to provide a new Bulldog beer that reflects Bryant’s proud tradition of excellence spanning more than 150 years,” Bill Smith, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation said. “This new partnership will serve as a toast to our great alumni and passionate fans from coast to coast and around the world, supporting the Black & Gold.”

The new Bulldog Lager will be available for fans to enjoy during home games at David M. ’85 and Terry Beirne Stadium Complex this fall. It will be available for purchase at select locations, including Phantom Farms’ beautiful brewery at 30 Martin St., Cumberland, RI.

Send wedding photos of Bryant alumni to alumni@bryant.edu

We receive more photos than we can print for each issue of Engage. To view all wedding photos received since the last issue, please visit facebook.com/bryantalumni or follow us on Instagram @bryant_alumni.

JUNE 7, 2025 | WARWICK, RI | Lexi (Reed) ’19 and John Hengge ’19

JUNE 7, 2025 | HARVARD, MA | Abby Zajac ’21 and Tyler Adkins ’21

MAY 24, 2025 | MIDDLETOWN, CT Rachel Rametta ’19 and Daniel Roberts

REUNION@HOMECOMING 2025

Thank you for joining us at Reunion@Homecoming!

On October 3-5, Bryant welcomed back nearly a thousand alumni, families, and friends to share laughs, memories, and reconnect with the university community. The Bulldog spirit was alive and well as attendees kicked off the weekend with welcome receptions for Greek affinity groups and celebrated the Archway Investment Fund’s 20th anniversary. On Saturday, attendees took a Passport Tour of Campus that highlighted the Navigant Credit Union Field House, the Puishys Residence Complex, and lab spaces inside the Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center. The Class of 1975 was inducted into the Archway Society to mark their 50th reunion, and alumni from various years celebrated with block-party-style receptions in the new Alumni Village throughout the evening. Before their class parties, attendees cheered on the Bulldogs during the Homecoming game as Bryant took on the University of Maine.