Virtual Homecoming 2020 Raises $2,000 for the Grizzly Cupboard

Pictured: Kimberly Margan (B.P.S. ’05, M.S. ’07), New York Tech’s associate director of marketing, collects donations for the Grizzly Cupboard during the drive-in movie night event.

This year, Homecoming looked different. Instead of the community coming to New York Tech for a single Saturday in October, New York Tech went to the community. From October 19 through 24, alumni, students, faculty, and staff participated in several engaging virtual events and activities.

“Due to COVID-19, I feel socially isolated from everyone. This gave me a way to reconnect with other people in the New York Tech community,” said Reshma Menghani (M.S. ’05), a graduate student pursuing a degree in data science.

The Virtual 5K Run/Walk/Bike/Swim was the highlight of the week. The event benefited the Grizzly Cupboard food pantry. Along with donations received through registrations for other Homecoming 2020 events, the community collected non-perishable items and raised $2,000 to help students battle food insecurities.

“We are grateful to the New York Tech community for its support of the Grizzly Cupboard during this year’s Homecoming. Food insecurity directly impacts students’ academic performance, and it is wonderful that with financial assistance from alumni, faculty, staff and the greater New York Tech community, we are able to provide this resource for our students,” said Tiffani Blake, M.Ed., assistant provost for student engagement and development. “It is through these collaborative efforts that our students will have access to free and healthy food as they progress through their academic programs.”

Matthew Heller (B.S. ’08, D.O. ’11), assistant professor of family medicine at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, was the winner of the Virtual 5K Run/Walk/Bike/Swim Best Race Outfit.

Alumni and friends from across the country and Canada, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Vancouver, participated in the Virtual 5K Run/Walk/Bike/Swim. Participants received awards in several categories. See the complete list of winners.

The week’s events also included Cooking with Carmen, a live art therapy session from the Vancouver campus, coffee hour with our Golden+ Alumni, an online yoga relaxation class, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion session for international students featuring advice and wisdom from alumni from around the globe, and a drive-in movie night featuring Hocus Pocus.

“My favorite part was being able to have interactive discussions with alumni and seeing everyone,” said Samuel Pakrad (B.S. ’69) about the Golden+ Alumni Coffee Conversations event, which brought together alumni from the classes of 1971 and earlier.

Did you participate in Virtual Homecoming 2020? Tell us about your experience. Take the survey.