Sadly, on Dec. 11, 2011, George Rich passed away following a brief illness. The outpouring of support to Rosie, through cards, letters and visits, and the number and value of gifts in memory of George to the student philanthropy award that bears his name, has been overwhelming. Click here to see a list of everyone who has contributed in George's memory.
To make your own memorial gift, mail your check to The College at Brockport, 350 New Campus Drive, Brockport, N.Y. 14420. You may also make a gift online. Please put a notation in the 'Comment' box that your gift is for the George Rich Student Philanthropy Award.
Despite George’s passing, the staff of Kaleidoscope wanted to run this story as it was originally written. We hope you enjoy it. — Mike Andriatch, Executive Director of Advancement
By Mary E. McCrank
Rosa “Rosie” Rich remembers the blind double date she went on with her husband, George, in 1958 shortly after she arrived in town to take a teaching position at The College at Brockport.
Jeanette D’Agostino Banker ’53, emeritus professor of elementary education, who had attended school with George and was a colleague of Rosie’s, decided to play Cupid and match the two during a night out on the town with her date.
“Jeanette told me, ‘You’re going to meet a rich guy,’ said Rosie. “I thought, ‘Well, it’s about time.’ ”
“This is George Rich,” Rosie remembers Jeanette telling her when they picked up George at his home. “And all I said was, ‘Oh.’ ”
Fourteen and a half years to the day they met—and after Rosie traveled across two continents, one of which she lived and worked in for four years—George proposed to Rosie, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“I don’t know if it’s going to work out,” quipped Rosie, who on March 2 celebrated her 38th wedding anniversary with George.
Arguably the most recognizable couple on campus, the Riches have lived a rich life indeed—a life rich with love for students, rich with dedication to their community and rich with giving back to the institution that is a double alma mater for George and a former employer for Rosie.
Longtime supporters of the College, the Riches took their giving to an extraordinary level by designating a major portion of their estate through a planned gift and creating two awards in support of The College at Brockport. In honor of their philanthropy, the College inducted the Riches into the Ernest C. Hartwell Society at the President’s Donor Recognition Dinner this spring.
The bequest is earmarked for a variety of funds: the Campus Restoration and Beautification Fund, Brockport Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, Golden Eagle Society Fund, The Arts & Cultural Fund and the George M. Rich Student Philanthropy Award.
In addition, the Rosa La Sorte Rich Scholarship will be awarded to an incoming student interested in a career in teaching, while the George Rich Student Philanthropy Award will recognize philanthropy among students and student groups.
George came up with the idea for his award to educate students about philanthropy and encourage them to donate to Brockport after they graduate. He awards $500 to a student or student group, and the recipients also receive $500 to donate to an on-campus philanthropic, educational or cultural endeavor of their choosing.
“I know how great the students are,” said George. “They have big hearts but empty pockets. A lot of students want to give to Brockport but they have debts.”
This year’s recipients include Todd Sheridan ’10, the former hockey team goalie who started Saves For A Cure, which raises $1 for every save a Brockport goaltender makes for the rest of the team’s history.
George recalls Sheridan telling him that instead of calling himself a cancer survivor, he likes to tell people, “I beat cancer” because it sends a more powerful message.
“This is what happens when you get to know the students,” said George, noting that he and Rosie learn their life stories.
Another recipient of the scholarship was Greg Parizek ’11, whose wall sculpture, “Sculpted from Devotion,” was installed on permanent display in the Tuttle North Athletic Complex. A throwing specialist for the indoor and outdoor track and field teams, Parizek competed in the State University of New York Athletic Conference championships and was the featured artist at an exhibit entitled “Man Made” at Tower Fine Arts Center.
As a lifelong resident of the Brockport area, George noted that there is an historical relationship between the College and community in which it is located.
“There are many ways the College and its students have a positive impact on the village and surrounding towns,” said George. “This is why the philanthropy award also recognizes students who demonstrate other ways of giving through their service and participation in community endeavors.”
One group of students were cited because of their involvement in Arbor Day tree plantings, helping to build of a community playground, doing chores for the local historical society and participating in community holiday activities, to name a few. Through such activities, these students serve as an example of other ways of giving, all of which reflect positively on the College’s contributions as a good neighbor to the Brockport community.
George said alumni fondly recall the social aspects of their college days and that it is a valid part of the college experience to have favorite hangouts and participate in social activities. This is why he wanted to create an award that recognizes something other than academic record.
George attended the Campus School and lived at home while attending Brockport but had the opportunity to fully participate in student activities, including writing for “The Stylus,” the student newspaper. One of six children whose father was a laborer at Eastman Kodak Co., George received his bachelor’s degree in education cum laude in 1954. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1954-56 in Germany. He got to travel in Germany, as well as visit Denmark, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. The year he returned home, he took a job with the Rochester City School District, where he taught elementary grades until he retired in 1990. In 1962, he received his master’s in education from Brockport.
Rosie, a native of Endicott, N.Y., received her bachelor’s degree cum laude from SUNY Cortland in 1955 and her master’s of education from the University at Buffalo in 1956. At UB, she worked as a graduate assistant in the physical education department. In 1958, after teaching in Troy, N.Y., Rosie moved to Brockport to take a position with the College teaching physical education and health.
Rosie’s parents emigrated from Italy to the United States to have a better life for their children. Rosie and her older siblings all attended college. A butcher, her father found the money to pay for her room and board so she could go to college. Tuition at the state schools in New York was free then, but students had to pay for food and living expenses.
“We both came from families that were not very wealthy,” said Rosie. “We’re talking about one thousand dollars a year to pay for my education.”
In summer, Rosie worked at a local candy store and drug store for spending money. George worked in the College library and did chores for a blind osteopath to earn spending money and money for textbooks, which were $10 apiece then.
The Riches know that many of the students attending The College at Brockport today also come from families for whom affording tuition and room and board is difficult.
“We prefer to give where there’s a need,” said Rosie. “If it weren’t for the scholarships, some of them wouldn’t have been able to finish school. I think that’s part of the story of giving.”
While George noted that today’s students have more opportunities in terms of international education options than students did in their undergraduate days, Rosie said the job market for her generation was much better than it is today.
“We had every opportunity we wanted,” said Rosie. “I could go anywhere and get a job. I interviewed everywhere.”
When considering an education job in Long Island, a State Department job in Albany and the position at Brockport, Rosie visited Brockport and fell in love with the small town.
“I always wanted to teach at a college. When I arrived in Brockport, I loved it,” she said. “I loved the community; the feeling was great.”
The local newspaper had a front-page story about the College’s new faculty complete with photographs. When Rosie went into the local grocery store, she was surprised when the owner indicated he knew her. He explained by pointing to the newspaper, where Rosie saw the story and her photo. This sense of community was exactly what drew her to Brockport.
Rosie taught at Brockport as an assistant professor of health and physical education from 1958-1964 and served as the Class of 1963 advisor. Rosie already had plans to go overseas for her sabbatical, which was granted in error after she taught for six years (it was supposed to be granted in her seventh year). The College agreed she could still go on condition she return to teach for one year. Rosie had planned to spend the year traveling around the world to compare physical education and health programs. But before she left, she was approached by the Near East College Association in New York City with an offer for a three-year contract to establish the first health and physical education program for women at the America University of Beirut (AUB). In August 1964, she accepted this offer and resigned her position at Brockport.
“I was very spontaneous,” Rosie said.
With students representing about 50 nationalities at AUB, Rosie found herself working in an extremely busy yet rewarding atmosphere. Knowing she needed assistance, she arranged to have the first full-year student teaching program overseas for Brockport. She had students in back-to-back years (1965-66 and 1966-67) who helped her teach her classes.
On June 5, 1967, at the end of her three-year contract at AUB, the Six-Day War—also known as the Arab-Israeli War—broke out. Rosie was the only woman on a committee with seven men who were asked to plan the successful evacuation of 5,000 Americans from Lebanon in 24 hours. She was on the last plane out to Corfu, Greece, where upon arrival she found herself with a suitcase of high heels and dress clothes that a student packed for her instead of her casual clothes. Three weeks later, she was on the first plane back to Beirut, only to find that applicants previously interested in her job were no longer willing to come to Beirut.
She decided to return to her position at AUB for another year and accepted an additional job as Acting Dean of Women at an adjoining high school. However, because the war left AUB with lack of funds, Rosie was unable to request a student teacher from Brockport. In June 1968, Rosie left Beirut for good and traveled back to New York taking the Eastern route (Iran, India, Bali, etc.) completing her trip around the world.
After returning to America, Rosie came back to Brockport in 1973, married George, and went on to a successful career as a health teacher at Batavia Middle School, where she taught from 1973-89.
Rosie was honored as one of the Outstanding Young Women of America in 1966 and was honored as one of the 2,000 Notable American Women in 2003. In 2009, Rosie received the Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater, SUNY Cortland.
In 2005, Rosie wrote a book about her experiences, “Crossing Boundaries: Beirut and Beyond,” giving all sales money to the Class of 1963 Scholarship Fund.
Not one to sit still, after she retired Rosie worked at a local farm market and is an active volunteer in the community. George served on the Western Monroe Historical Society Board of Trustees for a decade as well as editing the newspaper for the Rochester Teachers Association.
The Riches are patrons of the student arts and theater programs, regular fans at athletic competitions and observers of academic presentations such as Scholars Day.
“We go to everything we can,” Rosie said, naming football, hockey, basketball and swimming as some of their favorite sports.
The Riches remarked that when they run into student-athletes days after a game, the students thank them for attending. The Riches marvel at how the students could see them in the stands.
“We’re not doing anything,” said George, placing the emphasis on the students doing the work. “We’re going to the games to be entertained.”
The Brockport Alumni Association has recognized the Riches for their dedication to the College. In 2004, George was inducted into the Hall of Heritage for making exceptional contributions to the association, College and community, as well as his profession. In 1998, Rosie received an Outstanding Service Award from the Brockport Alumni Association. She also was honored in 2006 with a Citation of Appreciation for demonstrating sustained commitment through her services to the association and for her readiness to help the College, the association and community. Rosie serves on the Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee and George serves on the Brockport Alumni Association Board and was president from 1998-2004, the longest tenure of any Association president.
Donors since 1968 and longtime members of the Golden Eagle Society, the Riches were recognized in 2003 as “Yard-Line Donors” for being fans in the stands. After all, George does have a green and gold garden in his back yard.
“I often feel we get more than we give,” said George. “What we give is only money.”
“We like the friendships and getting to know the students,” he added.
The Riches are well known for getting students involved and working with students.
“It’s really part of their DNA—interacting with, advising and mentoring students,” said Brad Schreiber, director of development for the College. “That is exactly who they are.”
So it was only fitting for George and Rosie to leave a major portion of their estate to The College at Brockport.
“I just felt that Brockport gave me the opportunity to have SUNY teachers over there (in Beirut) and the fact that my SUNY education was free is important,” said Rosie. “The money should go back to the students. They taught my classes.”
Brockport Foundation
350 New Campus Drive
The College at Brockport
Brockport, NY 14420
Learn about some of the scholarships and awards that have been made possible through the generosity of alumni and friends like you.
Mornings with the Professors began Tuesday February 12!
Zotero (Education focus)
5 pm - 6:15 pm
Naturalization Ceremony
11 am - noon
Leadership Program Kick-off
3:30 pm - 5 pm
ADP Distinguished Speaker Series "The Audacity to Heal: Our Rape Culture"
7 pm - 9 pm
Faculty/Staff Campaign Kickoff
noon - 1:30 pm
