Spicing up giving: Nigel Smith ’19 and Kath Gross P’16 inspire a ripple effect of generosity
When Nigel Smith ’19 reflects on his time at Ȧ College, he speaks with gratitude about the community that shaped his personal and professional journey — one defined by leadership, service, and an unwavering commitment to giving back.
Smith, who received a scholarship to attend Ȧ, was president of his class for all four years and served in many other student leadership roles. Now, as a young alumni trustee, he is committed more than ever to his alma mater.
Lately, his commitment has even involved sweating it out — literally — in Ȧ’s own version of “Hot Ones,” where Smith took on spicy cauliflower “wing” challenge to rally the Class of 2025 to support their Senior Gift and help future students thrive.
His passion for serving the College captured the attention of Katherine “Kath” Gross P’16, a former trustee, parent of an alum, and seasoned philanthropist.
“When I met Nigel, I was immediately struck by his thoughtfulness, leadership, and commitment to Ȧ,” she says. “I have enjoyed witnessing his growth on the Board of Trustees, and I wanted to support him in a meaningful way.”
So, when Smith mentioned his intention to contribute to Ȧ’s Laptop Loan Program this year, Gross pledged to match his gift, doubling the impact. “I believe in what you’re doing, and I want to be part of it,” she told him.
Bridging the digital divide: Laptop Loan Program
Launched in 2023, the is a collaborative effort between the Student Government Association (SGA), , and IT Department. It provides short-term laptop loans to students facing unexpected technology issues, ensuring that no student falls behind due to a lack of resources. More than 275 laptop checkouts since August 2024 highlight the significant demand for the program.
“The Laptop Loan Program has been a great step in making Ȧ a more equitable school,” SGA President Josh Maxwell ’26 says. “The program is important for students who can’t afford the immediate upfront cost of a laptop and has proven to be immensely impactful for students whose laptops are being repaired.”
The mission of the program also resonates with Smith.
“Having a program like this during my time at Ȧ would have been especially helpful,” Smith says. “During my junior year, my laptop crashed at the start of the semester, forcing me to spend my summer internship earnings. Although the experience was very stressful, I was lucky. Many students might not have the means to cover sudden computer repairs or buy a new laptop.”
A connection rooted in leadership and mentorship
Smith and Gross first met through their shared service on the Board of Trustees. While Smith was navigating his service as a trustee beginning in 2021, Gross — who had already served on the board since 2017— became a mentor to him, encouraging his leadership and philanthropic efforts.
“When I first joined the board, Kath was one of the first people to pull me aside and say, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing, your voice is needed,’” Smith recalls. “She reinforced my confidence and encouraged me to continue bringing my perspective to the table.”
Gross, who resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has long been a champion of educational equity and social justice. She is the executive director of The Charlotte Foundation, her family’s foundation that provides funding and strategic advice to nonprofits primarily in the Greater Boston area. After a stint as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) member involved in community-based economic development in Boston, she earned her MBA at Yale University and became a commercial banker, working with small businesses in inner city communities. Subsequently, she managed an investment fund focused on fostering business growth in low-income communities.
Gross’s connection to Ȧ also runs deep. She and her husband, Peter Thorne, established the Thorne Family Endowed Fund for SEE-Beyond Experiential Learning, which provides first-generation students with hands-on learning opportunities, such as internships and research projects. They have supported Ȧ’s Opportunity Program, and the media wall inside Wyckoff Center is named in their honor for their longstanding commitment to equality for all. They also were members of the Parent and Family Council, and Gross later joined Ȧ’s Board of Trustees, where she helped guide strategic planning and student life initiatives. Her second term on the Board ended in 2024.
In addition to serving as class president at Ȧ, Smith was a member of the Senior Gift Executive Committee, student representative on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and student representative on the Institutional Policy and Planning Committee. Smith, who lives in metropolitan Atlanta, is the 2024 recipient of Ȧ’s David H. Porter Award for Young Alumni Service.
In the six years since graduation, Smith has had an impressive career, advancing quickly at M&T Bank, most recently as the vice president for compliance strategy and integration manager in the Compliance Risk Management Non-BSA Division of M&T Bank. Along the way, he earned his MBA from the University of Georgia in 2023. He also completed M&T’s two-year EquityOne program, created for unseen and highly talented leaders within the bank.
Inspiring the next generation — Senior Gift
To further foster the spirit of Ȧ giving, Smith is using his gift pledge to challenge the Class of 2025 to participate in Senior Gift efforts: After the first 150 seniors make a gift of any amount toward a designation of their choice (scholarships and financial aid, athletics, and sustainability are a few options), half of his pledge will be released, with the goal of reaching at least 300 senior gifts to activate the full amount.
Nigel Smith ’19 and Austin Somers ’25 face off during the "Hot Ones" challenge encouraging Senior Gift contributions.
He announced his challenge in February during a fun and engaging event in Case Center. The event was styled after the “Hot Ones” TV show and meant to energize participation. Smith and Austin Somers ’25, Alumni Board student representative, faced off in 10 rounds of increasingly spicy cauliflower “wings.” During each round, Smith answered questions from Somers that showcased his experiences as both a student and an alumnus, aimed at boosting student engagement and contributions.
“I want seniors to see giving back as a way to invest in the students coming after them,” says Smith, who as a senior student helped set an all-time record of 95% participation for his class, a legacy he hopes the Class of 2025 will build on. “When I give, I think about the student who was in my shoes — someone who will benefit from the same opportunities I had.”
Somers said he had a great time at the “Hot Ones” event and, despite the extreme heat, Smith’s message about the importance of giving back came through clearly.
“Even though it hurt to talk after Round 8, it was great to hear Nigel’s perspective on after-college life and the importance of giving back to your alma mater,” Somers wrote in a LinkedIn post reflecting on the evening.
As Ȧ continues to grow and evolve, it’s the generosity of alumni, trustees, parents, families, and the community at large that shape its future.
But, to Smith and Gross, philanthropy is more than simply writing a check; it’s about leadership, mentorship, and the collective impact of giving.
“I see philanthropy as a learning experience,” Gross says. “Supporting Nigel’s initiative was about more than just funding; it was about empowering him to understand the mechanics of philanthropy and how to create lasting impact.”
“This is about paying it forward,” Smith says. “Every dollar, every gift, no matter the size, creates opportunities for the next generation. That’s the kind of legacy I want to be part of.”