Student Giving

BRANDON SCHNEIDER ’17

Brandon Schneider ’17 understood the importance of donor philanthropy on the IC student experience before he was even a college student himself. As a senior in high school, Brandon found himself torn between attending Ithaca College (his first-choice school) and his second-choice institution. Faced with a seemingly insurmountable gap between the cost of attending IC and a more affordable school, Brandon resigned himself to attending his second choice. So when he received an additional award from IC, it was enough to put his first choice within reach after all.

Once Brandon was on campus, the School of Music student joined Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT), an organization that works to build traditions, sustain links between students and alumni, and encourage pride and loyalty within the Ithaca College family. Brandon’s experience with STAT cemented his understanding of the impact of philanthropy on the IC student experience. He was also co-chair of the Senior Class Gift Committee and continues to make gifts as an alumnus.

“My hope is that IC students will be afforded the same opportunities that I had—and not just the same, but better.”

BRANDON SCHNEIDER ’17

Senior Class Gift Campaign

BIANCA SUMMERVILLE ’21

Seniors at Ithaca College leave their legacy by supporting the IC experience through the Senior Class Gift Campaign. Bianca Summerville ’21—Park scholar, integrated marketing communications major, and Senior Class Gift Committee co-chair—has a deep interest in developing her career in the field of philanthropy. She is involved in numerous organizations both on and off campus, had an AmeriCorps internship term at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, and served as a public relations consultant for the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.

Describing why current students should consider giving back, Bianca notes that she—and all students—have benefitted greatly from donor philanthropy. “I’m going to be an alumna soon and, as someone that’s graduating and going into the real world, for me it’s really important that I keep the college a [philanthropic] priority. I can say with full confidence that I absolutely wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in now, entering the job market, without my professors, like Scott Hamula and Ahrlene Flowers, and without all of the Park School of Communications resources behind me.”

“For me, supporting the college is just one of the ways that I see myself as responsible for giving back.”

BIANCA SUMMERVILLE ’21