Fall 2026
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On behalf of the entire NJIT community, I extend my sincere thanks to our extraordinary donors whose generosity has made this an exceptional fundraising year for the university. Your unwavering commitment advances a culture of excellence, creating exceptional opportunities for learning and growth.
More than 4,800 alumni, friends, foundations and corporate partners contributed over $18 million to NJIT between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. This remarkable support reflects the NJIT community’s enduring generosity and confidence in our mission. Your investment provides students with the resources, opportunities and experiences they need to become future leaders in engineering, architecture, computing, business, entrepreneurship and beyond.
The philanthropic commitments received this past year reflect the broad range of priorities that define NJIT, from scholarships that expand access to education and programs that advance research and discovery, to athletics, experiential learning and other initiatives that enrich the student experience and strengthen our university community. These investments create opportunities for students, support faculty and researchers, enrich the campus experience, and foster innovation and collaboration across the university.
The impact of this year’s donor community extends far beyond our campus, reflecting a shared belief in the transformative power of education. To everyone who chose to invest in our students and faculty, thank you for your partnership with NJIT. Your generosity is helping to transform their lives while strengthening our university and contributing to a brighter future for our communities and the world.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Alan J. Kelly
Senior Vice President, Office of University Advancement
President, Foundation at NJIT
FISCAL YEAR 2026 FUNDRAISING AT A GLANCE:
$17,082,404 New Gifts and Pledges
$18,088,579 Received
Funds (Cash and Pledge Payments)
Increase Over Previous Year Gifts
44.7% Pledges
$8,997,939 Gifts to Endowment
4,845 Total Donors
3,580 Total Alumni Donors
GIVING HIGHLIGHTS – CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MADE AN IMPACT
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A New Chapter in Class Giving: The Class of 2026 Scholarship
Held annually, NJIT’s Scholarship Luncheon celebrates the generosity of our scholarship donors while bringing benefactors and students together to share the personal stories behind the impact of philanthropy. These meaningful conversations highlight how scholarship support transforms lives by expanding educational opportunity and empowering students to pursue their academic and professional aspirations. This year’s luncheon, held on April 17, 2026, also looked toward the future. Reviving a long-standing university tradition, it was announced that graduating seniors would direct their collective class gift to establishing the Class of 2026 Annual Scholarship, creating new opportunities for future generations of Highlanders.
Reflecting on the importance of scholarship philanthropy and encouraging her fellow seniors to support the new initiative, luncheon student speaker Natalia Pena ’26 remarked, “We have a unique opportunity to carry this spirit of generosity forward. Our class scholarship revives a once-cherished tradition, and I am excited to see it return. I encourage you all to get involved and be part of something that will not only keep us connected as classmates but, in supporting future students, will allow us to lift as we climb.” The announcement served as a fitting focal point for a luncheon centered on the ties between past support, present student experience and future giving.
Now, whenever a member of the Class of 2026 wishes to invest in the success of a future Highlander, they can proudly support their class scholarship. For this graduating class, the fund represents more than an opportunity to give back; it serves as a lasting connection to a shared year, shared experiences and the community that shaped them. While alumni can support NJIT in many meaningful ways, a class scholarship provides a natural home for their collective philanthropy, creating a tradition through which classmates can remain connected.
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From Service to Scholarship: Creating a Legacy That Lives in Perpetuity
Thomas R. Koegel ’65 often shared how meaningful his NJIT education was and his gratitude for the strong foundation he received through his electrical engineering studies. As a student, Thomas participated in the university’s Air Force ROTC program, which led him to a distinguished 20-year career in the United States Air Force. During his service, he earned a master’s degree in systems management from the Air Force Institute of Technology and held leadership roles supporting our nation’s defense programs.
Thomas served at several Air Force installations during his career, including Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where he led the Radio and Television Maintenance Branch. There, he supervised a team of 80 personnel responsible for maintaining presidential air-to-ground communications and other critical radio systems. He later joined the Space Division at Los Angeles Air Force Station as deputy director of Ground System Engineering for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, overseeing the development, testing and integration of satellite command, control and mission data processing systems.
Following his passing, Thomas’s wife, Adeline, felt strongly that his impact and commitment to engineering and service should continue through future generations. In his memory, the Thomas R. Koegel ’65 Endowed Scholarship was established to honor his life, career and passion for education. This scholarship provides students with the opportunity to pursue their engineering aspirations while carrying forward Thomas’s belief in the power of an NJIT education to enable meaningful and successful careers.
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More Than Just Exceptional Teaching: Faculty Support for Scholarships
For more than three decades, Bruce Bukiet, who recently retired from NJIT, exemplified excellence as a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Having joined the faculty in 1989, he built a distinguished career as an applied mathematician, whose teaching and research span subjects ranging from biomechanics and calculus to the mathematics of baseball and the physics of explosions. A graduate of Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and biology, Bruce earned both his master’s degree and Ph.D. in mathematical sciences from New York University. His passion for mathematics extended well beyond the classroom, shaping the way he viewed the world. Nowhere was this more evident than in his love of baseball, where, for more than two decades, he produced annual mathematical modeling projections for each Major League Baseball season.
Beyond his research, Bruce was a dedicated educator, mentor and advocate for mathematics throughout his career. At NJIT, he led the Math/Sciences Undergraduate Recruitment Committee, developed engaging presentations that inspired students to pursue mathematics, advised undergraduate students in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, and mentored students through the university’s Chabad of Newark and Hillel student clubs. He also served as associate dean in the Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts (JHCSLA). Through these efforts, Bruce fostered both academic achievement and a strong sense of community among generations of NJIT students.
To celebrate Bruce’s retirement and honor his lifelong commitment to education, he and his wife, Gail, established the Bruce and Gail Bukiet Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will support students who are active in the Chabad of Newark student club and give preference to students majoring in mathematical sciences or other JHCSLA programs. The Chabad club welcomes students of all backgrounds who participate in its programs that celebrate Jewish history and culture. Reflecting Bruce’s lifelong commitment to education, mentorship and campus engagement, the scholarship recognizes both academic achievement and involvement in a student organization that fosters learning, service and community.
Scheduled to make its first award this fall, the Bukiet Scholarship ensures that Bruce’s legacy of mentorship and generosity will continue to benefit future generations of Highlanders. Like so many members of the NJIT faculty who invest in their students both inside and outside the classroom, Bruce and Gail’s generosity reflects a lasting commitment to expanding educational opportunities and helping students realize their full potential.
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SAVE THE DATE Giving Day 2027
Last year, alumni and friends from around the world made NJIT Giving Day our most successful yet. This year, we’re counting on you to build on that incredible momentum. Save the date for NJIT Giving Day, from noon to noon on March 10–11, 2027, and help create opportunities for the next generation of students.
