Society Levels
SALONE DEI CINQUECENTO
Throughout the evening, illustrious historian Rocky Ruggiero will bring Florentine history to life through performances and vignettes presented by our students and the musicians and theatre performers of the Teatro Verdi and Orchestra della Toscana.
Guests will enjoy a cocktail hour inside the frescoed courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio followed by a decadent Florentine meal catered by a Michelin-starred chef who has won the “best dish in Italy” competition.
ComesHistoryAlive
The pinnacle of the Renaissance Scholars Society experience in Florence 2023 will be the immersive Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Gala held Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Salone dei Cinquecento inside Palazzo Vecchio. This impressive structure has served as the political heart of the city for centuries, and the expansive Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the 500) is the largest and most imposing chamber within its interior, featuring frescos by famous Renaissance artists.
ARNO RIVER
The Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Experience
A contribution at this level will provide $2,100 per year in scholarship support
· Unique Kent State classes at Palazzo Vettori
· Czech Republic
· Rwanda
· France
· Exclusive immersive experiences with Italian scholars offered daily
· Access for two guests
Exclusive Invitations
Pre-public invitations to attend future KSU Global Education Experiences beginning in 2024, which include the following possible locations:
· Transportation for group events and tours included
· Switzerland
Oct. 1-5, 2023
· Several dinners and receptions included
· Poland
· Brazil
· India
*Airfare and hotel are not included; however, discounts on partner hotels are available.
· Gala event at the Salone dei Cinquecento inside Palazzo Vecchio
Bronze Level*
$50,000 outright gift to the endowment payable over five years at $10,000 per year
· Reception and art gallery opening for work of alumnus
CASTELLO DI CASOLE
Oct. 1-5, 2023
· Transportation and lodging included for weekend extension (Oct. 1-5 transportation and lodging is not included)
A contribution at this level will provide $4,200 per year in scholarship support
Silver Level*
$100,000 outright gift to the endowment payable over five years at $20,000 per year
· Private suite at one of Tuscany’s most exclusive and storied resorts, alive with history stretching back to the Bronze Age
· Cocktails and lunch in the gardens of the Castello di Casole
The Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Experience
Exclusive Invitations
Oct. 6-8, 2023
*Airfare and hotel are not included; however, discounts on partner hotels are available.
· Dinner al fresco at Castello di Casole
Pre-public invitations to attend future KSU Global Education Experiences mentioned in Bronze Level, featuring exclusive benefits during trips for Silver Level and above donors.
Weekend Extension at Castello di Casole
· Private mixology lesson and cooking lesson with one of Italy’s best chefs
· Private dining in the lavishly restored Palazzo Portinari Salviati, with a meal by an award-winning Italian chef
· Access for two guests
· Available onsite activities include: cooking classes, wine tastings, horseback riding, stargazing astrotour, truffle hunting, Etruscan museum and tour, woodland safari, walking and biking adventures, pool, spa, fitness classes
· All Bronze Level benefits
· Recognition at Kent State University’s Founders Gala
· Private wine tours and tastings of Tuscany’s exclusive wineries in Montalcino
FOUNTAIN OF NEPTUNE
The Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Experience
Florence Summer Institute Program (includes all majors) · Florence Health Institute Program
Oct. 1-5, 2023
- Fashion Design Program - Fashion ProgramMerchandising - Architecture Program - Interior Design Program - Communication and Information Program - Business Program - Arts and Sciences Program
·
$1 million outright gift to the endowment payable over five years at $200,000 per year
Programs (9 available) · KSU Florence Semester Programs
Naming would appear in the Palazzo Vettori in Florence and in all Kent State materials and collateral referencing the program. Donors will receive recognition at Kent State University’s Founders Gala.
Naming Recognition**
A contribution at this level will provide $42,000 per year in scholarship support
Weekend Extension at Castello di Casole Oct. 6-8, 2023
· All Silver Level benefits
· All Silver Level benefits for one of the Florence
Gold Level*
*Airfare and hotel are not included; however, discounts on partner hotels are available. **Namings are subject to approval by the Kent State University Board of Trustees.
SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE
$8 million outright gift to the endowment payable over five years at $1.6 million per year
Weekend Extension at Castello di Casole Oct. 6-8, 2023
· KSU Global Center in Florence features:
A contribution at this level will provide $336,000 per year in scholarship support
- 45 faculty and staff members
- 800+ Kent State students per year
**Namings are subject to approval by the Kent State University Board of Trustees. This naming option is not for the physical building; it is for the program.
· All Silver Level benefits
- Largest American University program in Florence
Oct. 1-5, 2023
· All Silver Level benefits
- The Palazzo Vettori, a prestigious and ancient building located in the heart of Florence at the corner of Via Cavour and Via degli Alfani, next to Piazza del Duomo. The foundation of the building started at the beginning of the 15th century, and its facade proclaims the new ideas of Renaissance architecture through the use of rustication.
Naming of the center would appear in the Palazzo Vettori in Florence and in all Kent State materials and collateral. Donors will receive recognition at Kent State University’s Founders Gala.
Platinum Level*
The Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Experience
Naming Recognition** for the Kent State University Global Center Program in Florence, Italy (1 available)
- Home to multiple semester programs, the Summer Institute and Health Institute
*Airfare and hotel are not included; however, discounts on partner hotels are available.
SANTA MARIA ASSUNTA – SIENA
The Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Experience
- Scholarship established in KSU Foundation, the first of its kind at Kent State
· All Silver Level benefits
$10 million outright gift to the endowment payable over five years at $2 million per year
· All Silver Level benefits
Diamond Level*
Naming of the Kent State University Global Education Endowment (1 available)
- Once fully endowed, every Kent State student will have access to this scholarship once during their four years of undergraduate study
A contribution at this level will provide $420,000 per year in scholarship support
Named endowment will become part of enrollment advertising, global education program and student scholarship awards – featuring name recognition across the entire university system. Donors will receive recognition at Kent State University’s Founders Gala.
Oct. 1-5, 2023
*Airfare and hotel are not included; however, discounts on partner hotels are available.
· Kent State’s Global Education Endowment features:
Weekend Extension at Castello di Casole Oct. 6-8, 2023
- Scholarship administered centrally by the Office of Global Education, Division of Enrollment Management and Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement
PALAZZO PORTINARI SALVIATI
Accommodations
Following meticulous restoration, the prestigious 15th century Renaissance home of Beatrice Portinari, Dante’s muse, and the first residence of Cosimo I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, has been returned to its original splendor.
Kent State University has a special Renaissance Scholars Society rate established for October 2023 with The Westin Excelsior, Florence.
With the Piazza della Signoria and Uffizi Gallery just steps away, The Westin Excelsior, Florence sits at the center of Florentine culture. Boasting a longstanding KSU relationship, it’s an iconic luxury experience on the banks of the Arno River.
Information on accommodations and further details will be provided at the time of commitment to the Renaissance Scholars Society program through our society concierge.
For those seeking a more exclusive luxury experience, we suggest Palazzo Portinari Salviati, a historical house in Florence with luxury hotel services, including a spa and restaurant under the direction of a Michelin-starred chef.
Today, the Palazzo houses elegant suites with frescoes from the 1700s and luxurious apartments overlooking the heart of the city with breathtaking views of the Duomo.
Invitations to the Renaissance Scholars Society are exclusive. Space for the Florence 2023 trip is extremely limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. To discuss your membership in the society, please contact Jodi Gabor at 330-672-5012 or jgabor4@kent.edu. A portion of your gift is deemed for personal benefit and will not be eligible as a charitable deduction. Join the Renaissance Global education will never be the same.
