George Eastman Circle member spotlight: Michael Dymond ’13

Michael Dymond ’13, the first student to become a George Eastman Circle member, leads the 2023 Senior Giving Campaign Challenge

Michael Dymond ’13

Michael Dymond ’13 felt so strongly about giving back to the University of Rochester that he joined the George Eastman Circle when he was a student. He is grateful for his experience at Rochester and feels that it is particularly important to guide senior undergraduates through the transition from college to career. This year, Michael has offered to match all gifts made by members of the class of 2023, up to a total of $7,500, for the Senior Giving Campaign Challenge. By leading this challenge, which will also be part of the 2^nd annual Student Day of Giving, Michael hopes to inspire future generations to contribute to the unique institute of the University of Rochester.

Q: Why did you decide to join the George Eastman Circle?

A: I joined as a reflection of the great experience I had at Rochester. I think that great experience is probably a result of three things. The first is that I almost ended up somewhere else, which would not have been a great fit for me. At a later point that became clear, and I was very grateful that I ultimately landed at Rochester. The second is that Rochester opened a tremendous number of opportunities that I otherwise would not have had. For example, when I was a freshman, I went to Spain for a one-month study abroad program. That happened because I was in my pre-major advisor’s office and said, “I want to travel more!” He asked me what languages I was studying and then called up the Spanish department right then and there. They soon found me a unique summer opportunity. The third, and probably most important part of the great experience I had at Rochester, was due to the investment and dedication of my mentors. I had a number of mentors at Rochester, and it made my college experience very rewarding and unique. I now do the same when I can for undergraduates. I have been able to recruit Rochester students to my past and current firms and have helped them out in their career paths.

Q: What did it mean to be a student and a member of the George Eastman Circle?

A: I hope it helped lead others to contribute to our class gift. My first George Eastman Circle gift went to the economics department and to the Greene Center for Career Education and Connections. It was a reflection of the great experience I had with both departments. I had an intense job search as a senior and ended up at exactly the right first employer. The Greene Center supported me the entire way. And I was very proud to be part of the economics department as they gave me a great education. It was funny when, after my gift was made, one of my professors found out and he, anonymously of course, used the exact gift and amount as an example in class to describe the implications of charitable giving in the tax code. I got a chuckle out of that one.

Q: What did you take with you from your time at the University of Rochester that you still use today?

A: It taught me to think and solve problems. There are some other specific skills I still use, but the critical reasoning you develop in a great undergraduate education is probably the most important skill and is what I use daily now. I learned about perseverance too. Rochester is unique among the major private research universities in the United States. It’s an incredible school that commands a significant amount of respect in academia and among people who know it. Though, when I was a senior, I noticed that in my career field, it doesn’t carry the same visibility as compared to some other schools. So, I had to work just a bit harder. And I think that’s a good thing. When I interview people, one of the traits I look for is perseverance. I developed some of that at Rochester, and I think most University of Rochester students develop perseverance as well.

Q: Why did you decide to lead this year’s Senior Giving Campaign Challenge?

A: I believe in leaving things better than I found them when I can. Universities are unique institutions in society, in part because they are perpetual. They’ve been around for centuries, and the majority will continue to be around for centuries to come. When I can help make Rochester better for future generations and, hopefully, motivate others to join in, I am always happy to do so. I find doing things that have resonance with and that are motivating to seniors at a unique juncture in their lives and careers particularly fun and appealing. I hope it will inspire someone, or hopefully several or many, current seniors at Rochester to do something similar very soon.