Kent State University nursing, fashion and music students will gain new scholarships, cutting-edge lab technology and emergency financial support through a $6.4 million commitment from local philanthropists Marie Rader and James Angiulo. The gift includes an outright donation of $400,000 and a $6 million bequest.
Rader is a retired RN and former fundraising professional, and Angiulo formerly served as an IT director at two hospital systems before retiring from a managerial position at Stryker, a medical technology company. Both have a deep appreciation for Kent State’s mission and quality education. They have taken courses at the university, where their experiences influenced their philanthropic interests. Angiulo earned a certificate in health informatics, while Rader discovered a passion for textile dyeing that eventually led her to lead student workshops.
“We just genuinely care about people,” Angiulo said. “And what better place could you spend a dollar than here at Kent State? It’s like the pebble in the pond. You have water that undulates from the point, and it just spreads and spreads.”
Their philanthropy reflects both a commitment to helping others and a strategic investment in the resources students need to succeed. Previous donations made by the couple to the university have supported upgrades to nursing simulation labs, as well as state-of-the-art digital knitting machines and associated software. These investments help Kent State provide students with advanced learning tools and hands-on experiences that strengthen their preparation for the workforce. They have also supported the Library Development Fund, Blossom Music Endowment, College of Nursing, Kent State’s NYC Fashion Housing Fund and the annual School of Fashion student showcase.
“Through their generous philanthropy, Jim and Marie have shown that they not only believe in our students and the great work happening here, but they are also confidently investing in the future of Kent State,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon. “They have already had a transformational effect on students and will continue this legacy into the future. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and belief in our students’ promising futures.”
With this new commitment, Rader and Angiulo will support the following programs:
- College of Nursing
- $2 million to create The Marie Rader R.N. Fund for Technology in Nursing to support the acquisition of technology that strengthens student learning, faculty instruction and clinical training opportunities.
- $1 million to create The Marie Rader R.N. Nursing Scholarship to support students enrolled in the Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Program.
- School of Fashion
- $2 million to create the Clarity Colors Lab Support Endowment Fund to ensure that KnitLAB, TechStyleLAB and future labs remain functional, relevant and sustainable.
- $400,000 to create two new endowments. The first, the Clarity Colors Top Junior Designer Fund, recognizes an outstanding junior fashion design student as the student develops a senior Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) collection. The second, the Clarity Colors Competition Fund, provides financial support for a student selected to represent Kent State in the Supima Design Competition — or another premier fashion competition. The gift also provides $10,000 to support the NYC Housing Fund for Kent State students who are studying in the university’s New York City Fashion program.
- School of Music
- $1 million to create the James Angiulo School of Music Emergency Fund to provide essential financial assistance to students, including tuition, fees, food, shelter, educational technology and emergency travel costs.
For Rader and Angiulo, their philanthropy is rooted in a shared desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. They hope their giving will inspire others not only to identify the causes that matter most to them but also to find meaningful ways to contribute.
“We just love to pay it forward, and we hope that one day, people will follow our example and continue,” Angiulo said.
