RPI is grateful to the Pinewoods Educational Foundation for its continued commitment to supporting students and strengthening the student experience. Founded in 2011, the Pinewoods Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to foster leadership and scholastic excellence within the RPI community. The Foundation has supported a wide range of initiatives benefiting RPI students and faculty, including leadership development opportunities, scholarships, student organizations, and programs supporting students involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life.
During the past fiscal year, Pinewoods invested $28,000 in three important areas of Student Experience at RPI: the I-PERSIST Mentoring Fund, the Fraternity & Sorority Leadership Development Fund, and the Student Access Fund.
Pinewoods’ support for I-PERSIST helps connect students with mentors and meaningful guidance as they navigate their RPI experience. Their investment in fraternity and sorority leadership development strengthens opportunities for students to grow as leaders and engage with their communities, while the Student Access Fund helps expand access and opportunity for students who may be financially prohibited from taking advantage of all aspects of student experience.
The Foundation’s support builds on a longstanding commitment to RPI. Pinewoods has provided funding to help members of student organizations participate in leadership development programs and has supported scholarships for RPI students, including the Rui Soares Jordan Standard Scholarship for incoming first-year students.
Together, these investments reflect Pinewoods’ commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars and leaders and helping RPI students develop the skills, experiences, and opportunities they need to make a difference in their communities and beyond.
Pinewoods representative Bob Eckart ’73 recently joined the I-PERSIST mentor community on campus as approximately 100 mentors gathered for training, providing an opportunity to celebrate the Foundation’s partnership with RPI and its investment in the student experience.
“We are incredibly grateful to Pinewoods for recognizing the importance of investing in the whole student experience,” said Rob Hradsky, vice provost for the student experience. “Their generosity is helping create opportunities for students to connect, lead, and thrive at RPI.”