Suzi Murad '01

Single mothers who get their master's degrees one class at a time while working full-time and shuttling kids to soccer and voice lessons are not the very model of modern philanthropy-but then again, maybe we are. Or maybe we should be.

Click her to learn more about Suzi's planned gift to RIT

What makes you unique?

Each one of us has similarities and differences, but what makes us truly unique? Dreams. We are unique by the goals we set for ourselves and the dreams we carry through life.

Dreams are built on cornerstones

The strongest buildings in the world are only made possible because the foundations upon which they are built can withstand the greater forces thrown at it. The cornerstone of a building is always specially identified as it was the very first piece set it place. It represents the transition from planning the structure to making it come to life. It is proof that a dream is becoming a reality. And while this building may ultimately be made up of millions of integrated pieces and parts, the cornerstone is the most critical piece of all because until you have the first piece in place you cannot lay the second.

RIT for many of us is where the foundations of our lives began to solidify and strengthen as we prepared to go into the world and realize our dreams.

One of the greatest pleasures in my life so far comes from knowing that I am doing something to be a cornerstone for others. When the day comes that I reach the capstone of my life, the gifts I put in place now will provide the cornerstone for another's dream. Through planned giving I am putting a resource in place that will one day allow my legacy to help grow the seeds of another generation of dreamers.

So I'll ask you again. What makes you unique?

"Around 1978 my husband, Philip Cichanowicz and I purchased an estate from RIT which had been donated by Brackett Clark. It was to be our home for many years, during which time so many experiences involving RIT (including my recruiting on campus) made me very aware of the value of this very special University."

"I lost my husband in 1999 and a few years later met my new mate who serves on the board of trustees. All of these events seemed to signal that this was an institution that I needed to support. Therefore I have been privileged to support RIT and honor both my husband and my mother through charitable gift annuities that will eventually establish endowed scholarships in their names. They not only support the school but give me income as well. It is a wonderful arrangement and easy to do."

Ray J. Schlapfer '58

 "I have created several charitable gift annuities with RIT to lock in excellent income rates for my retirement. I am proud to call RIT my alma mater, and as a way of giving back, I have made these gifts that will ultimately provide support for the future of RIT and the E. Philip Saunders College of Business."