Fred M. Roddy Foundation

When Fred M. Roddy launched his firm shortly after World War II, he wanted it to be part of the community in every sense. Cumberland Engineering, located near the Attleboro/Pawtucket line, employed more than 500 people from the area who he considered to be family.

Upon his death, Roddy left much of his fortune to finance a charitable foundation that was formed after his company was sold. His vision for the foundation was “to support organizations carrying on research, educational or operational efforts for the cure or alleviation of afflictions of body or mind, or for general educational or charitable purposes.” Roddy’s close friend and attorney, John W. McIntyre, ran the Fred M. Roddy Foundation until his own death in 2006.

“The Fred M. Roddy Foundation has been making grants for almost 50 years,” says Elizabeth McIntyre, the Foundation’s current director and John’s daughter. “My father, my brother who ran the Foundation before me, and I were aware of Bryant University’s reputation. Recent initiatives — the establishment of the Physician Assistant Program and the School of Health and Behavioral

Sciences, for instance — are directly in line with our mission, and we are pleased to support them.”

Applications for grants from the Roddy Foundation are by invitation only. “Because we are a small foundation that operates only through investment of the initial bequest, choosing projects where we can have a real impact and then

“After passing the CPA exam utilizing my class notes, I was motivated to make Bryant a priority in my charitable giving. There was never a question Penny and I would continue to include the University in my philanthropic gifts as my career progressed,” he says.

Kent is impressed with the school’s continued collaboration with businesses and organizations. “Bryant is aware of what they need to provide in their education and consistently has partnered with the outside business community throughout its history to develop a curriculum that fulfills value for all parties. I see that value and I’m honored to play a part in its further achievements.”

Dan has been watching Bryant University’s rise in a variety of rankings for 70 years. He attended Bryant on the East Side of Providence during one of the University’s adaptative learning programs, and it allowed him to complete his degree quickly.

“During the Korean War, Bryant offered an accelerated degree program,

After graduating, Dan enlisted, and it was during military service in Kentucky that he met his wife, Juanita. “I never left after that,” he says. “I began working for New York Life and stayed in Louisville and started a family.”

New York Life matched his donations every year, doubling the impact of his gift. In addition to Dan and Juanita’s annual Bryant Leadership Council gift, Dan has named Bryant in his will.

“I still go into the office every day, even if only for a few hours,” he says. “It keeps me sharp.” And he keeps an eye out for the annual rankings list to see where his alma mater lands.

“When I see Bryant move up in quality of education and return on investment lists, I feel a sense of pride, a desire to want to take part in this success,” he says.