A Lasting Legacy: Honoring a Mother's Dedication to NJIT

Janet McIntosh Riley had a long and distinguished career at NJIT, serving as a valued administrative assistant in the J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier College of Architecture and Design and the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. When Janet passed away in 2005, her son Darryl Riley ’83 sought meaningful ways to honor her legacy. In 2007, he and his wife Katrin established the Janet McIntosh Riley Scholarship. This important fund, established to support engineering and architecture majors of African American descent, has been instrumental in helping determined and hardworking undergraduates achieve their dream of earning an NJIT degree. Endowed by Darryl Riley and his wife in 2023, the McIntosh Riley Scholarship will preserve Janet’s legacy of dedication and commitment to the university for generations to come.

As an endowed fund providing support in perpetuity, the Janet McIntosh Riley Scholarship will be instrumental in helping undergraduate engineering and architecture students of African American descent, who are involved in the university’s Educational Opportunity Program, graduate into rewarding and productive careers. More than just financial aid, this scholarship embodies Janet’s commitment to the NJIT’s community. As an administrator, she was a mother figure to countless students who visited her office, providing guidance and support to undergraduates navigating university life and adjusting to being away from home for the first time.

In addition to Darryl and Katrin's contributions, several of Darryl's classmates have also made generous gifts to support the McIntosh Riley Scholarship, further extending its reach and impact. Through this collective effort, Janet's legacy of nurturing and assisting students continues. Her impact will be felt by future generations, ensuring that her spirit of care and support lives on.