Bryant Giving Day raises record-breaking $2 million

Every donor, whether their gift was large or small, helped us to provide resources and opportunities that will change the trajectories of our students’ lives.

late husband, Stephen, lived in the same house Lucille grew up in as an only child and they owned other modest properties in town that they rented to neighbors. They and her parents were active members of the Thomaston Opera House community, where she served on its board of trustees, and she was a supporter of the Thomaston Public Library.

“Bryant, the First Congregational Church, and the Thomaston Public Library were all beneficiaries of Lucille’s estate,” said Susan highlighting that many loyal supporters of organizations include those most important to them, such as Bryant University, in their estate plans creating financial support that will benefit future generations.

Lucille’s love for Bryant and education will extend well into the future with her generous gift to the Lucille E.

Gotsell Endowed Scholarship Fund, which she established in 1990 to benefit

In 1996 Lucille received the Nelson Gulski Award which recognizes an alumnus or alumna with a record of exemplary and longstanding volunteer service to the University or the Alumni Association. In 2010 she received the Key to the College, becoming one of the select few to receive this honor.

“One of Lucille’s favorite activities when she visited campus was to meet her scholarship recipients,” said Susan. In her later years when she was unable to travel, Lucille would devour any news from campus. “She loved hearing from Bryant. She kept up with everything.”

Giving was in Lucille’s spirit and she exhibited that spirit in ways small and large. “The last gift Lucille made to Bryant was in memory of her dear friend, Marie Renza ’42,” said Susan. Susan reflected that throughout the time she spent with Lucille, she was struck with how much energy Lucille exhibited in her life and in her actions on behalf of Bryant. “Lucille loved Bryant from the time she was a student,” said Susan. “Her love and generosity toward Bryant will live on for the many students who will benefit from her gift of scholarships.

By including Bryant in her will, Lucille created an enduring legacy of opportunity for future generations of Bryant students.”

Beneficiary designations can be updated at any time to meet your changing needs. Make sure you review your beneficiaries regularly to ensure that your wishes are fulfilled.

The fifth annual Bryant Giving Day on October 26, 2022 raised $2 million in 5,784 gifts from 3,869 donors, record highs for the University’s signature fundraising event.

A total of 135 different designations, including scholarships, academic programs, student life funds, and Black & Gold Athletics, received gifts, a testament to the Bryant community’s collaborative effort to BE THE ONE to support the University. “Bryant Giving Day will have a tremendous impact on our community,” says David Wegrzyn ’86, P’23, Vice President for University Advancement. “More than 5,700 gifts will support every Bryant student, helping them to explore their passions and gain the skills they need to excel in their academic and professional careers. Every donor, whether their gift was large or small, helped us to provide resources and opportunities that will change the trajectories of our students’ lives.”

Leaderboard challenges for donors and dollars, led by Bryant Fund Co-Chairs Trustee Joe ’80 and Kathi (Jurewicz) Puishys ’81, and

Greg Lyden ’82 and Cathy Tormey, respectively, encouraged supporters to leverage their gifts throughout the day to earn a greater share of bonus dollars. Twenty-four hourly challenges helped encourage broader participation, and more than 713 Bryant Giving Day Advocates rallied their own Bryant communities to support the funds that meant the most to them, further multiplying the excitement of the day.

On campus, the Bryant Giving Day spirit was vibrant in the festively decorated Koffler Rotunda, where food, raffles, and giveaways attracted crowds of students, faculty, and staff. A livestream broadcast on alumni social media channels and on the givingday.bryant.edu website featured interviews with University leadership, including President Ross

713 ADVOCATES

Gittell, Ph.D., and other prominent campus figures, like Bulldog mascot Tupper II. Student performances by the Cheer Team, the Pep Band, and the Bottom Line a cappella group showcased the talent and creativity of Bryant students.

“The $2 million raised on Bryant Giving Day is an investment in our students and faculty,” says Nora Marzocchi, Director of the Bryant Fund. “Thank you to each and every one of the 3,869 donors who stepped up to BE THE ONE to help us break records on Bryant Giving Day!”

TWO LEADERBOARD CHALLENGES OF $100,000 EACH

Thanks to generous support from Greg Lyden ’82 and Cathy Tormey and Bryant Fund Co-Chairs Joe ’80 and Kathi (Jurewicz) ’81 Puishys

15 ALL-DAY CHALLENGES RAISED $494 , 000 IN BONUS DOLLARS

7

ATHLETIC ALL-DAY CHALLENGES

23 HOURLY CHALLENGES

$55 , 000 in bonus dollars for Black & Gold Athletics

PLUS new scoreboards for Baseball and Softball

Champions for Philanthropy are individuals and organizations that have committed to supporting Bryant University through their philanthropic giving. Their commitment to the University ensures that students have the resources to pursue a Bryant education on a beautiful campus with world-class faculty who lead our students’ intellectual development as they uncover their passions and become innovative leaders with character around the world. Thanks to these Champions and so many others, Bryant University continues to rise in its prominence on the national and international stage. Investments in excellence continue to galvanize the Bryant community who join in a philanthropic partnership that grows stronger each year.

CHAMPION FOR PHILANTHROPY Michael E. ’67 and Karen L. Fisher

Visitors to campus might recognize the names Michael E. ’67 and Karen L. Fisher from the front of the student center building, or from a plaque in the lobby of the Chace Athletic and Wellness Center. Their contributions to Bryant made these upgrades and renovations possible. More than financial donations, Mike and Karen bring to the University a generosity of spirit and genuine warmth and affection for his alma mater.

“I first connected back to Bryant in 1978, after my company moved me and my family from Newport Beach, California, to the East Coast to set up an office in Armonk, New York,” says Mike. “I had been wanting to reconnect with Bryant and I took great interest in the University’s continued advancements.”

Mike didn’t have the financial resources as a student to be able to attend his four years straight through — he took some semesters off to work full time to pay the tuition. “I was able to receive some financial aid, and for that I was grateful. Knowing firsthand the difficulty is what prompted Karen and me to set up scholarship funds for students — it’s important for us to make a Bryant education available to young people.”

He served as chair of Bryant’s Board of Trustees, as a co-chair of the second capital campaign, Expanding the

CHAMPION FOR PHILANTHROPY: CONSECUTIVE GIVING H. Kent Goetjen ’77 and Penny Goetjen P’11, P’12MBA

World of Opportunity: The Campaign for Bryant’s Bold Future, and helped establish and initially advise the Archway Investment Fund. Mike, a former member of the men’s basketball team, and Karen are familiar sights on campus at football and basketball games as well as other events.

H. Kent Goetjen ’77, CPA, is first-generation American, and the first in his family to go to college.

“I had no real benchmarks to gauge how well I was being prepared at Bryant for my career until after I graduated,” he says. Once in the workforce, however, his superior education became abundantly clear.

“I wanted to receive my CPA designation, but I had no money for a review and preparation course,” he says. “Armed with only my notes from Bryant classes, I was able to pass within two years of graduating.”

More than the recipient of a stellar education, Kent became part of a close-knit community. “When I arrived, I knew no one and as a graduate, I left with lifelong friends,” he says.

CHAMPION FOR PHILANTHROPY: CONSECUTIVE GIVING

Daniel B. Santos ’52 and Juanita Santos

and his wife, Penny, parents of alumnus Kurt ’11, ’12MBA, are happy to be members of the Bryant Leadership Council of Donors.

Daniel B. Santos ’52 is leaving an extraordinary legacy at his alma mater. His annual donations to Bryant span five decades, and this unbroken record of consecutive giving for close to 50 years is truly inspirational. But to Dan, it’s common sense, good business, and loyalty. “My support enables Bryant to advance its mission and reputation,” he says. “Bryant gave me so much, I want to see it succeed on a national level.”

CHAMPION FOR PHILANTHROPY: THE 1863 SOCIETY Charles L. Caranci, Jr., CPA ’88

and I took full advantage,” he says. “We were in school eight hours a day, year-round.”

Dan still managed to work part time at Shepard’s Department Store on Westminster Street and join the Beta Iota Beta fraternity. “Bryant taught me a lot about self-discipline and self-motivation,” he says. “It’s how I managed to move from the office side of the insurance business to the agent side.”

Charles “Chuck” L. Caranci, Jr., ’88 has been giving back to his community and organizations he feels passionate about as far back as he can remember.

“The roots of my philanthropic philosophy were planted in my childhood,” he says. “My parents always instilled in me the importance of sharing my time, treasure, or talent whenever possible.”

Upon graduation, he started out in one of the “Big Eight” accounting firms and earned his CPA, then transitioned to the construction and real estate development sectors in top executive capacities before deciding to spread his wings further and be his own boss.

“I’m surprised to hear that there are alumni who have never been back,” says Mike. “To see firsthand how Bryant is doing, what it is doing academics and athletics wise. I just think it is a great story particularly given the University has done so much with relatively little compared to other schools and their endowments. I take immense pride in meeting students and young graduates and seeing how they are performing. We are honored to contribute to their ongoing success.”

Now retired, Kent spent a portion of his career at PwC recruiting recent graduates from around the world to work at the firm, including those from Bryant. “I watched Bryant grow through its students,” he says. “The school’s balance of liberal arts and business ensures a more well-rounded graduate who can contribute to an organization immediately.”

Kent has been donating annually to Bryant since graduating almost 50 years ago. He’s been an advisor to students and the accounting department, and he

CHAMPION FOR PHILANTHROPY: FRIEND OF THE UNIVERSITY