In December 2024, Believe in Students celebrated a significant milestone as our founding Board Chair, Richard Binswanger, stepped down from his position. The following resolution, presented by our incoming Board Chair, Jesse Thompson, expresses our profound gratitude and recognition for Richard’s exceptional leadership, vision, and commitment to the organization’s mission.
Whereas, Believe in Students was founded in 2016 by Sara Goldrick-Rab as part of a broader #RealCollege movement, which aims to address basic needs insecurity among college students; and
Whereas, Richard Binswanger has served as Chair of the Board since its inception; and
Whereas, Richard played a significant role as a founding Board member and Board chair in contributing his vision, energy, and expertise to the establishment and growth of the organization; and
Whereas, Richard played an integral role in onboarding Believe in Student’s first Executive Director, Traci Kirtley, ensuring a smooth and thoughtful leadership transition that positioned the organization for sustained success and impact; and
Whereas, Richard’s collaboration and partnership with Traci Kirtley have been vital to fostering a collaborative and innovative culture to drive Believe in Students’ mission forward; and
Whereas, Believe in Students, through its FAST FUND, distributed two million dollars in aid to students during the Pandemic; and
Whereas, Richard’s innovative leadership, deep admiration in the community, ability to bring people together, and sheer determination not only created Gather Food Hall, but kept it alive for four years, bringing it to fruition in a way that will feed thousands of food insecure students for years to come; and
Whereas, under Richard’s leadership, Believe in Students has grown to include strategies and programs to advocate for policy changes to reshape how institutions and policymakers support students with basic needs insecurity; and
Whereas, Richard’s commitment to equity, access, and social justice has profoundly influenced the organization’s work, amplifying the voices of students experiencing needs insecurity and positioning Believe in Students as a leader in this space.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Believe in Students Board of Directors expresses its deepest gratitude and heartfelt recognition for the exceptional leadership and service of Richard Binswanger.