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PHIL Day Honors Generous Benefactor Phil Wasylean ’63, and National Philanthropy Day

The Office of University Advancement marked National Philanthropy Day with help from grateful students, who signed thank you cards and competed in a fun scavenger hunt. Called PHIL Day, the event on Thursday, Nov. 5, honored one of the University’s most generous benefactors, the late Phil Wasylean ’63, while also demonstrating the impact of all donors on the University.

The scavenger hunt led students to discover the stories behind the names that appear on plaques and signs around campus, such as the Aisiku Stem Center, the Binienda Family Green, and the DeFeudis Fitness Center, among many others.

Wasylean, who passed away in February, was a passionate and celebrated educator and humanitarian. He was also a dedicated traveler, thespian, and generously engaged patron of many arts and human service organizations including The Ogunquit Playhouse and The Hampton Playhouse where he spent 35 years as an actor and entertainment director. As a teacher, he taught English, Spanish, social studies, English as a second language, bilingual education, and drama for 42 years.

Watch the video of the day, and hear those closest to Wasylean talk about his impact on the University.