Donor Stories
Alumnus, Former DNIMAS Undergraduate Inducted into Emerald Society
Dr. Robert Scott has always been drawn to the sciences. Selected for enrollment in Norfolk State University’s Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS) program, the academic journey set his feet on a path that changed his life. The DNIMAS program was established in 1985 with the goal of producing graduates fully prepared to complete advanced studies in the basic and applied sciences. “I grew up in Suffolk, Virginia, in a rural setting where agriculture and livestock were a way of life. I thought I would pursue being a veterinarian.” He credits NSU for a career that he loves. “I am president of research and development for the Kraft Heinz Company and accountable for creating innovation and leading the R&D organization to support a $28 billion business. I’ve always had a deep connection to the University. It created so many pivotal moments in my life from the DNIMAS scholarship, which is likely the only reason I had an opportunity to go to college, to being my first real employment as an assistant professor upon completing my Ph.D.”
For his longstanding financial commitment, having donated more than $50,000 to Norfolk State University, Robert Scott will be inducted into NSU’s Emerald Society of donors. The Emerald Society recognizes individuals whose lifetime giving to Norfolk State University is $50,000–$99,999. Members of this prestigious group are honored with an elegant lapel pin featuring an emerald. Upon reaching this milestone, new members of this society are inducted every one to two years. “My first donation to the University was probably through the DNIMAS Alumni Association many years ago. I’ve always dreamtabout repaying NSU for the investment they made in me becoming the professional I am today. From the financial support as a DNIMAS scholar to the professors who challenged me for excellence to the University that hired me and started my career journey. I also thought about the many young people who, like me, need financial support to have a chance at pursuing higher education. I am proud to support the University and the Emerald Society is a great recognition of substantial support, but there is more that I look forward to doing for Norfolk State University.”
Because of the generous financial support of alumni and friends, NSU graduates are changing the world we live in.
NSU has had a significant impact on legions of students who have forged careers in diverse industries. Because of the generous financial support of alumni and friends, NSU graduates are changing the world we live in. Scott graduated from the University in 1991 and later attended Georgia Tech, where he received his Ph.D. In his role at Kraft Heinz, his team creates and evaluates every new product developed for the company. “Ninety-seven percent of all the households in the U.S. use a Kraft Heinz product.” When asked about specific R&D projects, Scott explained, “We just launched a new ketchup innovation – the pickle ketchup.” Last year the company released ‘a new to the world’ frozen food item, the Lunchables Grilled Cheesies – a crispy grilled cheese microwaveable sandwich. “Another of our initiatives includes feeding the hungry, and we plan to deliver 1.5 billion meals to people in need by 2025. We also developed a plant-based hotdog – the NotHotDogs.”
Scott says he continues to contribute to the University because of its mission. “NSU has a wonderful mission that empowers students to turn their aspirations into reality and this resonates so true with me. NSU went further than this with me. They also helped me imagine an aspiration much bigger than my situation would allow me to see for myself, and then they helped me turn this into a reality.” He designates his gifts generally for students who need financial help, but has a preference for students majoring in biology, sociology, history, physics and communications. “These happen to be the majors of myself, my wife and our three college-aged kids. We decided on this as a family. It was important as I wanted to create a giving behavior in my kids.”
Home