Title:‘In everything we do, he’s there with us’

At the start of his senior year at Georgetown, Daniel Rigby lost his life in an off-campus house fire. A business major with ambitions to leave the world better than he found it, Dan was active on the rugby team and gave his time and energy to Habitat for Humanity projects. To honor his memory, Dan’s friends began doing charitable work, which became a foundation in 2006. Today they are still doing important advocacy, as well as making donations in his memory. Establishing the Daniel H. Rigby Endowed Opportunity Scholarship is the next step in their mission.

Celebrating a life and relationships

Daniel Rigby and friends took part in a Habitat for Humanity project in West Virginia during their first and second years at Georgetown.

Jay Tedino (B’05) met Dan Rigby during their first year at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, New Jersey. Often seated near each other in class, they soon found themselves together in student government and various clubs.

“We had similar personalities and a lot of the same interests so we became fast friends,” says Jay. “We didn’t plan on going to Georgetown together but ultimately that’s what happened.”

For their first collegiate spring break, they decided to join a Habitat for Humanity project in West Virginia. “I remember building those houses by day, then sleeping on a church floor at night. We couldn’t believe it when they asked us to run the program sophomore year. It was a great experience to meet students from other colleges and work together on a common goal,” adds Jay.

After Dan’s death, his friends all wanted to do something to focus on the positives, on all that Dan had accomplished and given to others during his 21 years.

“There was such a huge void without Dan,” says Jay. “We felt restless. We didn’t know what to do at first but that spring we rallied together to plan a fun run around campus. It was amazing to see hundreds of people out and about in green shirts. That day showed the sense of spirit and community that he embodied.”

From fire safety to educational access

After the 2005 Run for Rigby, a group of Dan’s friends continued to plan fundraising events, including the popular Rigby Ball, and eventually set up the 501(c)(3) foundation.

“It’s cathartic. No one knew where to put their grief until we created this thing that was bigger than ourselves,” says Jay. “We needed that bonding and now we have built these amazing relationships and programs. In everything we do, he’s there with us.”

The foundation started by funding fire safety programs at Georgetown University and other college campuses, assisted by the Red Cross. Participants are given smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and advice about inspections and prevention.

They have also funded programs that were meaningful to Dan, including Little League, Habitat for Humanity, and the Bergen Catholic High School mock trial team that he once led to a state championship.

But their efforts always circle back to the Hilltop. The flagpole outside of Healy Hall and a Georgetown McDonough classroom are named after Daniel H. Rigby—and now they have established an endowed scholarship to support Georgetown’s access and affordability mission.

“For the Friends of Rigby Foundation and broader ‘friends of Rigby,’ this scholarship represents the memory of Daniel H. Rigby and his legacy in what defined him as an extraordinary person: sincere dedication to family, friends, and community,” adds Jay. “Danny had a unique ability to make those around him better through love, encouragement, and instilling confidence. We could not think of a better way to honor our friend and his passions than by being able to provide future Hoyas an opportunity to attend Georgetown, walk the halls we once did, discover lifelong friends, and, ultimately, help make the world a better place.”

Learn more about the Friends of Rigby Foundation >

Make a gift to the Daniel H. Rigby Endowed Opportunity Scholarship >