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A Legacy of Learning: The Nicolo Messana and Joseph Levitan Endowed Scholarship

When former controller Nicolo "Nic" Messana walked across Rice's campus for the first time in 1973, he sensed something extraordinary. It wasn't just the architecture or academic prestige, it was the spirit of curiosity, community and excellence that permeated every corner. That feeling never left him.

Nic came to Rice to help build the biochemistry department, setting up labs and hiring staff. Just a year later, he transitioned to the controller's office, where he would eventually serve as university controller for eight years. Though he officially retired in 1993, his dedication to Rice didn't end there. He returned to campus just six months later to assist with an IRS "comprehensive" audit of universities and colleges, with a focus on research institutions, requested by representative John Dingell in the early 1990s. He stayed on for another dozen years, managing special projects across campus and continuing to shape Rice's future.

Over the course of his 30+ year career as a staff member, Nic witnessed Rice's remarkable evolution. "When I first came to Rice, it was a well-kept secret," he recalled. "Now it has a global reputation. Forbes even named it a new Ivy." Even as Rice has gained national prominence, the university has remained deeply committed to the student experience, anchored by the residential college system. Nic has long admired this cornerstone of campus life and fondly remembers joining friends and college associates for Friday afternoons filled with music at Sid Rich and lively dinners at Will Rice College.

Nic and his late partner, Joseph Levitan, who spent his career at Shell, shared a deep belief in the power of education. "We both come from humble backgrounds and are very keen on the power of education to improve lives and better the world," Nic said.

To honor that belief, they established the Nicolo Messana and Joseph Levitan Endowed Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship supporting students in the humanities. Funded through a blended gift, the endowment draws initially from Nic's IRA distributions and Nic and Joe's retirement account bequests.

"Scientific departments are often better funded," Nic noted. "We wanted to support the humanities, where funding is often more limited." The gift is a tribute to Nic and Joseph's shared love for the arts, especially theater and opera.

For Nic, Rice represents excellence and opportunity. "Rice is a great institution to give to," he said. "The quality of education, the close working relationships between students and professors, and the loyalty fostered by the residential college system — it's an extraordinary place."