New Building Names Showcase the Impact of Beacon Benefactors
By Darryl E. Owens
Two of Beacon College’s most cherished campus venues received new identities during recent dedication ceremonies honoring the philanthropic spirit of two donors who have made major gifts to the college.
In March, Beacon College christened its student center the J. Carlisle & Ruth G. Rogers Student Center, honoring the late couple’s legacy and the generosity of the Rogers Family Foundation. The private foundation based in Tavares, Florida, honors the memory of J. Carlisle Rogers, his wife Ruth, and their son James C. Rogers Jr. It primarily supports general operations, visual aids for the visually impaired, debt reduction, naming rights, medical equipment, and services for the homeless.
Beacon College President George J. Hagerty praised the late couple for their civic engagement and generosity, which he said helped the College build a campus that better serves its students.
Right: President Hagerty addresses the audience during the dedication of the Carlisle & Ruth Rogers Student Center.
“J. Carlisle Rogers was an incredibly respected business leader in Leesburg for decades,” Hagerty said. “He and his wife, Ruth, were deeply involved in every aspect of the Leesburg community, taking on leadership roles in numerous civic organizations. Tireless supporters of Leesburg and higher education, it is our privilege to have our student center bear their name.”
Hagerty added, “The Rogers Family Foundation has been instrumental over the past decade as a valued partner in Beacon’s growth. We are grateful for the support of the foundation’s trustees and their belief in our distinct mission.”
In April, the building housing the Center for Student Success was officially renamed the Fred C. Robey Hall in honor of its namesake and generous donor, Fred Robey.
Beacon student Phillip Torretto shared how the facility and the accompanying newly renamed Robey Learning Center has supported him and his peers in staying focused on their academic goals.
It “helps students by providing a place to seek help when we’re struggling in classes,” he said. “It gives us someone to talk to when we’re feeling lonely or going through a rough patch. The building has supported me and many others throughout our journey at Beacon, helping ensure every student finds success in their own way.”
Torretto added his thanks to the center’s namesake: “Thank you, Fred Robey, for donating to Beacon and helping the staff and administration support students in a new and improved space that will inspire greatness.”
Echoing Torretto, Hagerty drilled down on what makes Robey special as both a donor and adopted member of the Beacon family.
“Fred, I just want to say that the purpose of this building is very much like you, not only in your giving as a donor, but in the way that you have lived your life. The sociologists talk about the three Bs and one of them is belonging. And you’ve always brought us into your orbit to help us belong to the world that you live,” he said.
And then Hagerty put a finer point on it.
“He’s [Robey] an incredibly disciplined person. He’s a beautifully disciplined person. He knows what he wants to do. He wants to do good because he did well. And I ask that you all pay it forward as well. When you can do well in life, you should use it to do good. And Fred has been that person. Fred has been that person here at Beacon. We are blessed by having him and his family here today so that we can honor him for what he has done for our beautiful Beacon College and for our students. So, thank you, Fred, from the bottom of my heart. Love you man.”
When Robey took the podium, he reflected on his journey from a shy, undereducated young man to a global philanthropist dedicated to helping students access education. Despite limited formal schooling — earning his degree after 35 years — he found purpose in supporting others.
“My thing is, because I never went to school, I wanted to get people a head start—get them started—and then let something happen,” Robey said.
And he discovered the power of paying it forward — something he hopes Beacon students follow suit.
“I may be just one person, but I believe if each of us helps just one other, we can change the world. That’s why I support students — so they can go out and do the same for someone else.”
Left: Fred Robey speaks to students and staffers during dedication of the Robey Learning Center.
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