As a result of a $50 million grant to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2017, the Maker Library & Innovative Learning Complex of the Future is under construction on campus. The new $17.5 million building will house a makerspace open to all students. The man behind the largest donation ever to RIT is Austin McChord, an entrepreneur from Connecticut who has a surprising success story. In this conversation with him, I learned that he wasn't the best student in high school or college. He had his own ideas, which he worked on while not doing his homework. He started a company after graduating from RIT because he didn't think anyone would hire him. At least the business didn't fail, and ten years later, the company became the first "unicorn" in Connecticut. After selling the business, Austin made the donation to his alma mater. He also started the Norwalk Havoc Robot League (NHRL).

For more background, images and excerpts, visit:
https://makezine.com/2021/04/02/makecast-austin-mcchord-episode-16