Kent State University Renaissance Scholars Program

Society Levels

History Comes Alive

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.

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.

Bronze Level*

$50,000 outright gift to the endowment payable over five years at $10,000 per year

A contribution at this level will provide $2,100 per year in scholarship support

The Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Experience

Oct. 1-5, 2023

· Access for two guests

· Gala event at the Salone dei Cinquecento inside Palazzo Vecchio

· Exclusive immersive experiences with Italian scholars offered daily

· Several dinners and receptions included

· Unique Kent State classes at Palazzo Vettori

· Reception and art gallery opening for work of alumnus

· Transportation for group events and tours included

Exclusive Invitations

Pre-public invitations to attend future KSU Global Education Experiences beginning in 2024, which include the following possible locations:

· France

· Brazil

· Switzerland

· Czech Republic

· Poland

· Rwanda

· India

*Airfare and hotel are not included; however, discounts on partner hotels are available.

Silver Level*

$100,000 outright gift to the endowment payable over five years at $20,000 per year

A contribution at this level will provide $4,200 per year in scholarship support

The Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Experience

Oct. 1-5, 2023

· All Bronze Level benefits

· 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

Weekend Extension at Castello di Casole

Oct. 6-8, 2023

· Access for two guests

· Private suite at one of Tuscany’s most exclusive and storied resorts, alive with history stretching back to the Bronze Age

· 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

· Private wine tours and tastings of Tuscany’s exclusive wineries in Montalcino

· Cocktails and lunch in the gardens of the Castello di Casole

· Dinner al fresco at Castello di Casole

· Transportation and lodging included for weekend extension (Oct. 1-5 transportation and lodging is not included)

· Recognition at Kent State University’s Founders Gala

Exclusive Invitations

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.

*Airfare and hotel are not included; however, discounts on partner hotels are available.

Gold Level*

$1 million outright gift to the endowment payable over five years at $200,000 per year

A contribution at this level will provide $42,000 per year in scholarship support

The Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Experience

Oct. 1-5, 2023

· All Silver Level benefits

Weekend Extension at Castello di Casole Oct. 6-8, 2023

· All Silver Level benefits

Naming Recognition** for one of the Florence Programs

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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.

*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

Platinum Level*

$8 million outright gift to the endowment payable over five years at $1.6 million per year

A contribution at this level will provide $336,000 per year in scholarship support

The Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Experience

Oct. 1-5, 2023

· All Silver Level benefits

Weekend Extension at Castello di Casole Oct. 6-8, 2023

· All Silver Level benefits

Naming Recognition** for the Kent State University Global Center Program in Florence, Italy (1 available)

· KSU Global Center in Florence features:

- 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.

- Largest American University program in Florence

- 45 faculty and staff members

- 800+ Kent State students per year

- Home to multiple semester programs, the Summer Institute and Health Institute

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.

*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. This naming option is not for the physical building; it is for the program.

SANTA MARIA ASSUNTA – SIENA

Diamond Level*

$10 million outright gift to the endowment payable over five years at $2 million per year

A contribution at this level will provide $420,000 per year in scholarship support

The Florence 50th Anniversary Donor Experience

Oct. 1-5, 2023

· All Silver Level benefits

Weekend Extension at Castello di Casole Oct. 6-8, 2023

· All Silver Level benefits

Naming of the Kent State University Global Education Endowment (1 available)

· Kent State’s Global Education Endowment features:

- Scholarship established in KSU Foundation, the first of its kind at Kent State

- Scholarship administered centrally by the Office of Global Education, Division of Enrollment Management and Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

- Once fully endowed, every Kent State student will have access to this scholarship once during their four years of undergraduate study

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.

*Airfare and hotel are not included; however, discounts on partner hotels are available.

PALAZZO PORTINARI SALVIATI

Accommodations

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.

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.

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.

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.

Information on accommodations and further details will be provided at the time of commitment to the Renaissance Scholars Society program through our society concierge.