The fifth annual ReFuel campaign at the School of Information Studies (iSchool) concluded on March 31, and raised $50,921 for four student-centered initiatives.
Supported by alumnus and Board of Advisors member Sam Clarvit ’10, ReFuel was a crowdfunding-style campaign that allowed four funds to compete for challenge funding provided by Clarvit. Each gift to a fund counted as a vote for the initiative to receive an amount of the challenge funding. First place was awarded $8,000, second place $6,000, third place $4,000, and fourth place $2,000.
With 60 gifts, the Liz Liddy Legacy Fund earned first place, receiving $22,482. The endowed fund, established upon the news of the retirement of iSchool Dean Liz Liddy, supports student efforts in areas of interest to Liddy, including entrepreneurship and research.
The Road Trips Fund, supporting non-credit bearing two-day trips that expose undergraduate students to the intersection of business and technology earned second place, with $12,695 donated by 46 donors.
Third place went to the Black and Latinx Information Studies Support Group (BLISTS) with 25 gifts totaling $11,696. BLISTS is a student-run organization founded in 1992 that focuses on educating Black, Latinx, and other student populations about information science and technology, focusing on networking and mentorship.
In fourth place was the Library Innovation Fund with 21 gifts raising $3,425. The Library Innovation Fund supports Library and Information Science students by providing funding for attendance at conferences, workshops, and other professional development activities.
“The generous participation of our alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends allowed us to raise funds for four critical programs at the iSchool,” said Abigail McNeal-Harris, Assistant Director for Advancement Services at the iSchool. “We’re grateful to alumnus Sam Clarvit for providing the challenge funding for ReFuel, as it allowed us to build energy around this campaign.”