Adam Etzel ’16 credits Robert Morris University with helping him build momentum that continues well beyond graduation.
Donor Adam Etzel ’16 looks back on his time at Robert Morris University as an important starting point for his life and career, one defined by preparation, connection, and opportunity.
As a student living in Washington Hall, Adam quickly found a sense of community that made RMU feel like home. “I'm still really good friends with a lot of people that I went to Robert Morris with,” Adam says. “I lived in Washington Hall and I'm still really good friends with a lot of people that lived on my floor.” The friendships he formed on campus have endured long past graduation, reinforcing his belief in the value of a university experience that extends beyond the classroom.
Academically, RMU’s career-focused approach helped Adam build practical skills that continue to serve him today. His undergraduate degree in marketing gave him a broad foundation in strategy, communication, and problem-solving. “I've always thought that RMU really had a focus on preparing their students for the workforce and being practical,” he notes. “Making sure that you graduate with things that you can use and get value out of your degree.” He credits faculty members such as Jill Kurp, Ph.D., Chief Academic and Outreach Officer, with helping prepare him for the next stages of his academic and professional journey.
After graduating from RMU, Adam earned his Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law, followed by a Master of Laws (LLM) in Tax Law/Taxation from the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Today, he applies that expertise as a Wealth Advisor with JFS Wealth Advisors, helping individuals and families plan for their financial futures. Previously, Adam served at PNC as an Assistant Vice President, Estate Settlement Advisor, and Fiduciary Closing Officer, roles that further deepened his understanding of legacy planning and long-term impact.
“Robert Morris was a good moment in my life and I've always valued education,” Adam says. “That's what inspired me to make a legacy gift.”
As a first-generation college graduate, Adam understands the life-changing power of access to higher education. Being the first in his family to earn a degree shaped his perspective and inspired his decision to include RMU in his long-term plans.
Like many alumni, Adam balances everyday priorities while still wanting to make a meaningful difference. Legacy giving offered a flexible, effective way to support RMU’s future without requiring an immediate financial commitment. “I think making a legacy gift is the easiest way to support your institution without having to make an upfront financial contribution,” Adam says. “I did mine with my 401(k) plan; it was really easy.”
His goal is simple: to help make higher education more accessible for students who are willing to work hard but may lack the financial resources to pursue a degree. Adam hopes his legacy gift will help ease the burden for future Colonials, particularly those who, like him, are the first in their families to attend college.
Through his legacy gift, Adam is helping ensure that the momentum he built at Robert Morris continues for generations to come by opening doors, expanding access, and keeping the RMU experience unstoppable.