Greenfield’s contribution a testament to his perseverance By Hannah Uranich Agri. Meaningful change is made when people like Redbird political science graduate Richard Greenfield “17 live out their passions. Greenfield is among the University’s youngest donors and has been contributing to Illinois State since he graduated. With his recent annual gift, Greenfield became the 10,341st donor in Illinois State’s quest to reach 15,000 Redbirds in the 2020 fiscal year. Now, he has decided to further his impact with a planned gift commitment.The 15,000 Resibirds Stoang challenge stresses how any gift of any amount creates a ripple effec that gives prospective students confidence in their decision to choose Ilinois State, which in turn boosts national rankings, shows currant students alumni ara recting for tam, and inspires others to invest. As donor 10,341 of me 15,000 Recboirds Strong, Greenfield is now actively part of this transformative process. His contribution Is significant given ne nas overcome many obstacles througnour nis life Ata young age, Greenfield was diagnosed with lead poisoning that damaged his comprehension skill. He faced many academic challenges and almost failed third grade. He was even told that he might not be able co complete middle school. Rather than letting his struggle defeat him, Greenfield's learning disability motivated him. He camparas his journey to going through a dark tunnel. The light at the end was finding his passion far higher education “One of the major challenges | did face wes that | had to stay an additional semester because | dida't have enough senior-credit-nours to graduate. However, | turned that negative into a postive ang found my passion for nigner education policy that extre semester.” sald Greenfield, He knew that ‘urthering nis education oy obtaining a college degree was way for nim to work past his learning disability, Greenfiela’s mother, Debra, provided him with adcitional resources end help when needed. Greenfield realized, however, that rot all students had this kind of support. His mother was the one who encouraged him to include ISU in his estate plan. She also recognized the amazing opportunities that Illino's State provides students, and matched ner son’s gift wath her own estate gift. “Ivis a pleasure and an honor to incorporate ISU into my estate gif,” Greenfield sai. “linois State has given mea lotand has done alot for me. The staf of Ilinois State University such as President Larry Diez, Dr Jonathan Lackland, Or. Kerri Milita, and Dr. Nancy Lind provided me with the resources and opportunities thet made me the Redbird lam today.” He was actively involved in extracurricular activities while at Ilinois State, He was a part of the Student, Alumni Council, secretary of Government Relations for SGA, College Democrats, Alpha Omega Service Fraternity, and many more. These experiences provided appertunities and halpad create relationships that ledto success Greenfield is now pursuing a masters degree in public administration from Governors State University In Chicago. He is on crack to graduate next May. Greenfield's planned gift commitment supports the Dean of Studencs Enhancement Fung, Black Colleagues Association Fund, Department of Politics and Government, Student Affairs Diversity and Inclusion, and the Red and White Scholarship Fund, “The need for donors never goes away. Donations of any type make 2 difference, and no matter wnat always enhance the University," said Greenfield, who knaws firsthand how gifts benefit students. He received many scholarships himself. Now Greenfield is paying it forward to the next generation. As someone who knows what itis like to overcome adversity, ne is a proponent for all students in all cypes of situations to pursue their education and cross tne commencement stage. He Is an inspiration to all Redbirds to persist in the face of adversity live out their passions, and pay it forward.