Buoyed By Generosity, 'Celebration of Hope' Event Inspires

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a constant motif embraced by the members of the Highlander community: Unrelenting generosity and support.

In the fall of 2020, the Highlander Emergency Fund—a special fund to help students facing emergency-related financial hardships—was replenished with a historic act of benevolence when the NJIT Student Senate donated $50,000, choosing to eschew from the group’s normal expenditures and instead invest in the students directly. Not soon after, the donation bug had bitten the Graduate Student Association when they infused another $50,000 to the fund.

The outpouring of support from alumni and friends of NJIT since the pandemic hit has also been momentous: over $250,000 donated to the emergency fund since March 2020.

It’s not about giving till it hurts, give until it feels good.

‘Generosity’ continued its momentous tour de force March 25 when NJIT hosted “A Celebration of Hope: An Evening with NJIT Students.”

Celebration of Hope opened its doors to everyone virtually as students and alumni shared their stories on the transformational impact of the generosity of the Highlander community, stretching from students, faculty, and staff here in Newark to alumni and friends around the world. 

Michaela Dungan, a biology major and president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, was an emcee for the event. She believes it represents a special cause and jumped at the opportunity to be part of it.

“There are so many deserving students that benefit from scholarship funding from generous donors,” said Dungan. “It is integral that we encourage giving back to our esteemed institution and create a culture of giving. Hearing testimonials from students and alums is the best way to understand NJIT.”

Anuj Patel, also an emcee for the event, lauded how scholarships helped him as a student.

“Scholarships have changed the course of my life by allowing me to immerse myself in the essence of college – academics and experiences,” said Patel. “As the student body president, I've gotten the opportunity to meet so many amazing students making impacts in academics, clubs on campus, research and work experience ... and I'm so proud to help share their inspirational stories.”

A marked difference in Celebration of Hope is that students' stories of triumph and success are the spotlight. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Celebration—NJIT’s longstanding campus-wide formal fundraiser for endowed scholarship funds that has raised nearly $6 million since its inception—had to be postponed last fall.

“The need for scholarships was even more apparent this past year and an alternative event was discussed,” said Bob Medina ’75, co-chair of Celebration. “It was decided to have a virtual Celebration of Hope to highlight the perseverance and success of our students, previous scholarship recipients and alumni.”

“It is important to have hope of a brighter future and to see examples of successful students and alumni who have not only persevered but have flourished and contributed to the recovery and vaccine solutions and support efforts,” Medina added. “Now is a time to acknowledge mentors, role models and those who helped lay the groundwork for the NJIT pride that motivated students to continue growing during this difficult year.”

Click the video link below to hear powerful and inspiring stories from our students and newly-minted graduates. These young men and women will share with you what their NJIT education has meant for them and their families, how it has prepared them to contribute as leaders and innovators in the STEM-dependent economy of the 21st century, and why it is more important than ever to continue supporting NJIT students.

For the video, go to https://vimeo.com/526989147.