Reimagining Donor Relations, Special Collections Outreach, and Critical Thinking

Abstract

This virtual seminar will include a panel discussion regarding the 2022-2023 outreach initiatives developed for the B. Thomas Golisano collection in the RIT Archives that are similarly replicable at other university repositories with their own under-utilized, “dusty” collections. The Golisano collection’s namesake, Blase Thomas “Tom” Golisano (b. 1941) is the entrepreneurial founder of Paychex, a three-time candidate for the Governor of New York, and a billionaire philanthropist who has given more than $330 million to various causes in Western New York and Southwest Florida. Featured perspectives will include those of collaborative partners, the RIT Archives and the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, as well as the perspectives of RIT community members; including, a university advancement professional, a faculty member, and a student. Seminar attendees will take away an understanding of how to enhance their existing relationships with donors and campus audiences to generate more collaborative opportunities, and will complete a “hands-on” Zoom activity that models critical thinking strategies with Golisano collection materials for an undergraduate classroom. Moderated by Melissa Nykanen.