Syracuse Sun

Michael "Mike" Venutolo, a Syracuse University alumnus, and his wife Kim have dedicated their philanthropy to transforming student experiences through experiential learning. Their journey began with an eight-hour bus ride across the desert in the United Arab Emirates with engineering students from Syracuse University. This experience highlighted the importance of practical learning, which has been a focus of their nearly $2 million legacy in philanthropy.

Kim Venutolo expressed their motivation: “In the many hours we spent together, we learned so much about their lives and hopes and dreams.” She noted that many students lack the funding needed to achieve their goals. Mike Venutolo, who was appointed to the University Board of Trustees in 2022, emphasized his own atypical path from modest beginnings to becoming a successful engineer overseas.

Venutolo's career began as a junior engineer on a major desalination project in Saudi Arabia. He attributes his success to hands-on problem-solving and the support he received during his education at Syracuse University. His international experience led him to help create internships for civil and environmental engineering students in Kuwait.

The couple's contributions include establishing several funds under the Forever Orange Campaign for Syracuse University. These funds support experiential learning abroad, professional development activities, undergraduate scholarships, remembrance-related activities, and an invention accelerator program.

Erika Wilkens of Syracuse University Abroad praised their generosity: “Their generous gift will provide students with invaluable immersive learning experiences...and enable them to develop global skills that will benefit them for years to come.” ECS Dean J. Cole Smith also acknowledged their impact: “Thanks to them, ECS will now be able to provide new life-changing scholarships...and devise groundbreaking inventions.”

Mike Venutolo credits his ability to succeed to Syracuse University and appreciates being part of its community again as a trustee. The couple’s philanthropy continues to support initiatives like Invent@SU, encouraging innovation among students.