Smithfield, RI – Bryant University is pleased to announce an historic $1 million gift from longtime supporters Bill ’67, H’22 and Sue Conaty to establish the Conaty Scholars Endowed Fund. This gift, the largest ever for endowed scholarships at Bryant, will provide financial aid to high-achieving, first-generation students from low- and middle-income backgrounds, further enhancing the university's commitment to economic mobility and leadership development.
In announcing the gift, Bryant Trustee Bill Conaty, a first-generation college student himself and a longtime member of Bryant’s Board of Trustees who served as chair from 2014 to 2020, emphasized the importance of scholarships in fostering opportunity and access.
This gift accelerates the momentum of the Conatys’ historic $5 million investment in support of Bryant’s Vision 2030 strategic plan, which emphasizes economic mobility as well as academic excellence, vibrant student life, and community and belonging. A total of $2 million of that gift was allocated for future scholarships. The establishment of the endowed fund accelerates $1 million of that gift and will allow the first class of Conaty Scholars to enroll in the fall of 2025.
"Sue saw the potential of creating something meaningful and lasting by establishing this scholarship fund now,” said Bill Conaty. “We are thrilled that this new $1 million endowed fund will allow us to award scholarships to next year’s entering class."
Sue Conaty, a former special education teacher, is equally committed to expanding access to education. Today, Sue volunteers in a low-income, underprivileged community and helps children read at level by the end of the third grade.
"We recognize the growing need for financial support, especially for students with leadership potential who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend Bryant because of the challenges their families face financially,” said Sue Conaty. “By accelerating this gift, we’re able to see the impact sooner and directly support next year’s class of Conaty Scholars.”
This gift helps fulfill Bryant’s Vision 2030 strategic plan and also served as a catalyst for additional philanthropic investments. During Bryant Giving Day 2024, on Wednesday, October 9, the Conatys’ generosity inspired further contributions to scholarships by members of the Bryant community. For every 50 donors who contributed to any scholarship fund on Giving Day, $250,000 of the Conatys’ gift was unlocked, creating a powerful matching challenge and amplifying the impact of collective philanthropic support.
President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. said gifts such as the Conatys’ help Bryant provide transformational learning experiences that develop passionate, purpose-driven leaders who go on to excel in their chosen fields and experience top outcomes, no matter their background.
“The Conatys’ investment represents a significant step toward our Vision 2030 goal of reducing financial barriers and empowering students to achieve academic and career success,” said Gittell.
The Conaty Scholars Endowed Fund will support two students per academic year, offering each recipient a total of $25,000 over four years, reducing the financial burden of student loans. The Conaty Scholars will be business-focused students selected on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, and a demonstrated commitment to community engagement.
“Scholarships play a crucial role in shaping students' educational trajectories and futures,” said Bryant University Vice President for Enrollment Michelle Cloutier. “By alleviating financial concerns, encouraging academic achievement, and providing opportunities for personal and professional development, scholarships effectively empower students to realize their full potential.”
Bryant University continues to rank among the top institutions for economic mobility, according to Harvard’s Opportunity Insights Project, and the Conaty Scholars Endowed Fund will further the university’s mission to help students from all backgrounds achieve success.
About Bryant University
For more than 160 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering a transformational education that anticipates the future and delivers top outcomes that result in passionate, purpose-driving leaders. The university delivers a uniquely integrated academic and student life experience with nationally recognized academic programs at the intersection of business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences.
Located on a 465-acre contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 38 states and 50 countries. Bryant is recognized as a top 1% national leader in student education outcomes and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News & World Report, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, College Factual, and Barron’s.
About Vision 2030
The Vision 2030 Strategic Plan sets an exciting trajectory for Bryant University, an institution committed to transformational learning experiences, exceptional outcomes, and developing passionate, purpose-driven leaders. Vision 2030 priorities include an ecosystem of academic excellence, vibrant student life, community and belonging, and economic mobility for all.
