Tuesday, Sep 13, 2022
Giving to scholarships and group gifts helped raise total
by Diane Cornell
Rider University received $15.1 million in cash gifts during fiscal year 2022, the highest in Rider history. In addition to cash gifts — including outright gifts and pledge payments — overall fundraising commitments raised more than $8.3 million in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. The monies will support scholarships, student and academic programming, athletics, and campus infrastructure as aligned with the University’s strategic plan.
“The support we saw last year shows the deep commitment to the education of our students,” says Rider President Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D. “We are incredibly grateful to have such backing and look forward to building upon this success.”
Of the total raised last year, more than $2.6 million was in unrestricted funds, which will be used toward the greatest needs of the institution.
“These funds are donated with the insight and faith of each donor who recognizes that contributions like this will be useful in a myriad of ways. Ultimately, all unrestricted giving supports key initiatives that highlight the student experience,” says John Guarino ’82, chair of Rider’s Board of Trustees. “Such funds bolster the University as a whole and provide vital support to student growth, transformation and leadership. I also think the increased giving reflects our donors’ belief in the University and our strategic plan. The Board couldn’t be happier by so much generosity on the part of our Rider alumni, family and friends.”
A total of $2.1 million in scholarship support was raised and 11 new endowed scholarships were created, including the Family Deeds Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship was created with a $500,000 gift from the Family Deeds Foundation to support students of color. In addition, two gifts for Westminster Choir College were funded through estate gifts, that is, individuals deciding to leave Rider in their will. The Estate of Robert H. Erb ’55 provided $200,000 to endow a scholarship for voice students and a trust funded by the late John W. Duckett, Jr., established the Carolyn Smythe Duckett Memorial Endowed Scholarship. The $180,000 gift made in honor of his wife will support Westminster students with financial need.
Such funds bolster the University as a whole and provide vital support to student growth, transformation and leadership."
The 2021-22 fiscal year also included a historic gift to its wrestling program and two notable group fundraising efforts:
- A $500,000 leadership gift from former wrestler Tim Morrison ’83 and his family will be used to more than double the size of the current wrestling space, expand the athletes’ practice area, add a designated team room and provide a cardio section for student-athletes. Their gift is the largest ever received for Rider wrestling. The Morrisons want their gift to inspire other donors to step up to fund additional items for the team, such as new wrestling mats, an alumni 'Wall of Champions,' and to increase the size of the planned team room.
- More than $347,000 was raised from 1,500 donors in Rider’s annual Athletics Raise Your Game challenge. In this 10+ year annual competition, current student-athletes, alumni-athletes and their family and friends compete to raise the most funds for Rider's sports teams. Of the total funds raised, more than $195,000 came from athletics alumni. Field hockey had the highest percentage of alumni donors at 41%.
- One hundred and seventy one friends, family and colleagues of the late Dr. Eugene Marsh '13, '18, '21 generously contributed $105,000 to the renovation and naming of The Dr. Eugene Marsh Center for Veterans and Military Affairs and to establish the Dr. Eugene Marsh '13, '18, '21 Memorial Endowed Veterans Scholarship. The scholarship will support eligible full- and part-time veterans as well as military-connected students, with preference given to underrepresented, under-resourced students.
Earlier pledges made the $15.1 million record for cash gifts possible, as generous donors made payment on their past pledges to the University. Pledges are just one way to make a donation, by providing a multi-year framework for donors to support Rider over time.
“I am extremely grateful to each and every individual and partner who supported Rider during this past fiscal year,” says Karin Klim, vice president for University Advancement. “Their commitment to the University’s mission and purpose continues to drive the momentum for our students’ success.”
Gifts to Rider University can be made online at rider.edu/makeadifference.
