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Transformed by an unprecedented $50,000 “match challenge,” Raritan Valley Community College had a record-setting “Giving Day” on March 24 and raised $135,716 for student clubs and athletic teams, as well as a range of critical institutional programs. Last year, RVCC Giving Day raised $51,510, and in 2020, the event raised $23,635.

RVCC Giving Day 2022 also set new records for most gifts received, highest number of $1,000-plus gifts, and total dollars raised by students. The 24-hour, online fundraising event also experienced record levels of participation by faculty and staff, the College’s Board of Trustees and the RVCC Foundation’s Board of Directors. In total, 494 donors from the College and larger community supported RVCC Giving Day 2022, an increase of 200% over 2021.

“Wow! We’re so proud to be part of this great success,” said Frank Russo, who, along with his wife Patricia, were the benefactors behind the “Match Challenge.” Added Patricia, “We knew the College was more than worthy, and it’s gratifying to see the community respond so generously.”  The longtime Far Hills residents also support the Frank S. and Patricia F. Russo Scholarship at RVCC, which is now in its fourth year.

“We are simply floored by this epic generosity from the Russos,” said Michael J. McDonough, President, Raritan Valley Community College. “We could not be more honored or more grateful for their support.”

Added Stacey Kimmins, Chair of the RVCC Foundation Board of Directors, “The phenomenal success of this year’s Giving Day is directly attributable to the Russos; their gift was the catalyst for so many new Giving Day milestones, including our record fundraising total.”

In addition to some 22 student clubs and athletic teams, this year’s RVCC Giving Day campaign featured nine areas of interest for donors, including the Resource Center and Food Pantry, the Servicing Learning Program, Honors College, and Workforce Training Center, as well as direct support of students through the new Paul Robeson and Evelyn S. Field scholarships, and the Emerging Heroes Nursing Scholarships, which netted $6,350.

In total, RVCC students raised $21,945 on Giving Day, a 272% increase over last year. This year’s winners of the “Patrick J. Fittipaldi Impact Award”—which celebrates student success in support of RVCC Giving Day—went to the RVCC Men’s Basketball team for most dollars raised ($5,850) and the Black Student Alliance and Rotaract clubs for attracting the most donors (each with 44). All three will receive $1,000 awards for their efforts.

“Thanks to the leadership of Frank and Pat Russo, we’ve reached heights that were previously unimaginable for Giving Day,” said Mike Marion, Executive Director of the RVCC Foundation. “The word ‘transformational’ gets tossed around a lot, but there isn’t a more apt way to describe the generosity of the Russos.”

The RVCC Foundation is the fundraising arm of Raritan Valley Community College. It provides the resources that enable the College to enhance its programs beyond public and tuition sources and to maintain its standing as a premier academic institution and one of the most important sources of culture and continuing education in Somerset and Hunterdon counties.  

For those seeking additional information about ways to support the College and the work of the RVCC Foundation, contact Mike Marion at 908-648-8567 or michael.marion@raritanval.edu, or visit https://rvccfoundation.org.

Ranked by WalletHub.com and Niche.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity. It is home to  a Planetarium, Science Education Institute and 3M Observatory; a Theatre offering professional performances for all ages; and an Honors College for high achieving students.

The College offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training, small business assistance through the Small Business Development Center, and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 13, 2022

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #117