The B. Thomas Golisano Archives is housed with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Archives Collection in The Wallace Center, and include photos, media clips, records, and memorabilia preserving records of Golisano's professional and public service. The collection celebrates Golisano’s entrepreneurial impact, political campaigns and reform efforts, and philanthropy.
A public multimedia display is on view for the public to see in the atrium of Golisano Hall, the home of the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. It features rotating exhibits focusing on the many contributions Mr. Golisano has made to business and the community. The display features a replica of Mr. Golisano's office, his first briefcase and videos.
The Golisano Digital Archives Collection serves as an overview of Tom Golisano's most transformative moments up to 2015 and features more than 100 photos. This is a growing and evolving collection and more of the collections will be highlighted in the future. It was curated by RIT student, Courtney Barber in 2021.
The Golisano Archives public multimedia display is on view for the public to see in the atrium of Golisano Hall, the home of the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. The building is open M-F from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays noon – 6 p.m. Before you go, please check the RIT website for current campus health-related visitation guidelines and/or restrictions.
Parking is in J Lot, in front of the Golisano Sustainability Institute. To park in a visitor spot in J Lot, guests must stop at the Welcome Booth in the Simone Center (south of the flag poles) to get a parking pass. If visiting after 5:00 p.m., park in any available spot. There are also ParkMobile spaces in every lot clearly marked with a sign. ParkMobile is an online application that allows you to park in a space and charge the fee to your ParkMobile account. ParkMobile rates are $1 per hour, and 50 cents for each additional 15 minutes.
Scholars, RIT students and community members from across the region can use the collection to learn about Tom Golisano’s entrepreneurial success, civic and philanthropic history and his contributions to the community. Unique items related to Golisano’s entrepreneurial impact, community commitment or philanthropy are also accepted. To make a contribution or inquire about research contact:
Liz Call, University Archivist
585-475-2557
RIT Libraries
Wallace Library 1520
90 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
2022
November 2, 2022 -- A gift from the Marie Golisano Graham Fund is supporting new ways for Rochester Institute of Technology to engage the public with the life and legacy of her brother, B. Thomas Golisano—Paychex founder, philanthropist, and civic leader. A new position in the RIT Archives, made possible by the Graham Fund, is dedicated to sharing Golisano’s story through the contents of the B. Thomas Golisano Collection. The Marie Golisano Graham Outreach Archivist Landyn Hatch will steward and expand the Golisano collection to include oral histories from people who have known the leader or benefited from his philanthropies. Read more
January 29, 2020 -- In celebration of the launch of Tom Golisano's first book, Built, Not Born, updates to the Tom Golisano Archives multimedia display will be unveiled February 4. The exhibit, which focuses on Tom's business and entrepreneurial contributions, is located in the atrium of Golisano Hall, in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. This replaces the previous exhibit that opened in October 2017 focusing on Mr. Golisano's global contributions to inclusive health.
Photo: (l to r ) Chuck and Donna Graham, Marie Graham, Hannah Atkinson, Tom Golisano, Monica Seles, Ramona Graham and Lionel Rodriguez at the unveiling of the exhibit at RIT honoring Tom Golisano, for his work championing inclusive global health -- Oct 20, 2017
Rochester, NY--October 20, 2017 -- Tom Golisano was honored at RIT on Friday October 20 for his contributions to global health, specifically through Special Olympics, in a new Golisano Archives exhibit. Golisano spoke at the celebration about how Special Olympics’ Healthy Communities initiative — made possible by significant gifts from Golisano — is opening doors for people with intellectual disabilities around the world. The invitation-only event was held from 3–6:30 p.m. Golisano Hall auditorium and atrium in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences on the RIT campus. Speakers included Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex and philanthropist; RIT President David Munson; Ann Costello, Golisano Foundation Executive Director and representatives from Special Olympics including Health Messenger Hanna Atkinson. The Golisano Archives exhibit opened for public viewing Oct. 21.
The family of entrepreneur and philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano announced in October, 2015 that they had selected Rochester Institute of Technology as the home for Tom Golisano's personal and professional archives. Tom Golisano's support of $26 million to RIT makes the university an ideal site for his archives. Along with the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences Mr. Golisano’s support created the Golisano Institute for Sustainability. He also provided $2 million to build the Eugene Polisseni Hockey Center at RIT.
“We are thrilled to have the collection at RIT,” said RIT Archivist Becky Simmons. “He is such an important man to the local community. Scholars, RIT students and community members from across the region can use the collection to learn about Tom Golisano’s entrepreneurial success, civic and philanthropic history and his contributions to the community.”
Press Releases
Press Release: Announcing Selection of RIT as Home for Golisano Archives - October 14, 2015
Archives Links
B Thomas Collection Archive Collection Overview
B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing & Information Sciences Records Collection Overview
RIT University Special Collections
In the News
Bill Clinton once wrote a handwritten letter to Tom Golisano - D&C - Jan 24, 2016
Golisano to be honored at RIT - RBJ - Oct 16, 2017
Golisano honored for work with Special Olympics - 13WHAM - Oct 20, 2017
Tom Golisano: A Champion for Global Health - Special Olympics - Oct 2017
Golisano honored for Special Olympics philanthropy - Rochester Business Journal - Oct 21, 2017
Golisano honored for work with Special Olympics - 13WHAM - Oct 20, 2017
RIT honors Tom Golisano’s contributions to global health - RIT News - Oct 24, 2017
Tom Golisano honored for global health contributions - The Post - Oct 25, 2017
