BOSTON– The Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology announced a $2 million donation from Liberty Mutual Insurance. Delivered over five years to boost access to clean tech careers in environmental justice communities, this is one of Liberty Mutual’s largest philanthropic contributions and builds on the foundation’s long-time partnership with Franklin Cummings Tech.The funds will support the capital campaign of Boston’s only independent technical college as it moves forward with plans to build a new campus in Roxbury’s Nubian Square. In recognition of Liberty Mutual’s support, the rooftop deck of the new campus will be named the Liberty Level, featuring two distinct spaces: the Liberty CleanTech Lab, designed to support project-based learning in clean technology and building energy management; and the Liberty Lookout, the rooftop social gathering space and student reception area.“Franklin Cummings Tech is grateful for this generous multi-year capital grant from Liberty Mutual that will help us realize the dream of our new campus. This gift catalyzes a much-anticipated project that will bring high-demand technical college education into Nubian Square,” said Dr. Aisha Francis, President and CEO of Franklin Cummings Tech. “We look forward to our building standing as a beacon of opportunity in Roxbury, and delivering education that produces transformative economic and social impact to students from Roxbury and across Greater Boston.”The Liberty Level is a critical element of Franklin Cummings Tech’s sustainable new campus design. The building itself will serve as an instructive tool with an active green roof design that includes recreational seating for students, two outdoor classrooms that facilitate a hands-on curriculum rooted in environmentally sustainable practices, and the mechanical and photo voltaic systems that operate the College efficiently. These outdoor demonstration labs will facilitate student education on the mechanics of SMART building construction and design; renewable energy technology (solar and wind); heat pump installation and repair; and HVAC system design, among other subjects.“It’s an honor to support this dynamic institution and help to enable students’ academic confidence and technical expertise,” said Melissa MacDonnell, President of Liberty Mutual Foundation. “Access to experiential learning spaces like the Liberty CleanTech Lab are critical for creating more resilient communities and empowering students to explore new careers.”The $2 million donation from Liberty Mutual adds to the fundraising momentum, as the college moves into a state-of-the-art campus in Roxbury’s Nubian Square. With construction starting this spring, the project has been additionally supported by significant philanthropic contributions from the Hamilton, Klarman, and Lynch Foundations.
