Every year, private gifts help make higher education accessible and affordable for UConn students. In 2010, the Foundation provided approximately $8 million for scholarships and fellowships at the University, and donors responded to the difficult economic conditions by contributing $11.6 million for scholarships, beating 2009's scholarship gift support of $10.3 million.
The ultimate success of the University of Connecticut is the success of its students; as the stories below illustrate, scholarship and fellowship support helps UConn students reach their full potential.
To all of our donors, thank you! Please take a moment and tell us why you give to support scholarships at UConn!
The Jean and John Lenard Cello Award
"This award is one of the important ingredients that has made my doctoral studies at UConn possible. My dream for the past ten years has been to have the opportunity to pursue the Doctor of Musical Arts degree, and eventually teach full time at the college or university level. At UConn, I have the opportunity to be principal cellist in the Orchestra, to coach chamber music ensembles and teach aspiring music educators about playing string instruments, to assist the chamber music coaches in carrying out their program, and, of course, to grow academically and musically. Helping to coordinate the Cello Festival, and then to attend and perform with so many other fine cellists, has been another of the highlights of this year at UConn. Many thanks to the Lenards for their generous support!"
Allan Ballinger, graduate assistant
School of Fine Arts
The Russell Palen Fund
"After graduating with a degree in Agriculture and Resource Economics with a concentration in International Development and a minor in Human Rights, my first plan of action is to join the Peace Corps. While volunteering, I will be able to immerse myself within an impoverished country. I will learn their language, their customs, and begin to understand the people, all the while helping economically develop their community. I would like to then go back to school and receive a Master’s Degree in International Development, or another related field such as International Economics. After completing my Master’s, the final step in my career path is to secure a job with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Changes may happen, new opportunities may arise, but there is one thing that I can be certain of: my life will be spent helping as many people as possible, and in doing so I will have fulfilled my dream."
Amber Albee '12
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
UConn League Scholarship
"I have loved my experience here at UConn! Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to make wonderful friends to last a lifetime, to learn new things about the world and myself in and out of the classroom and to begin what will hopefully be a lifelong journey in the field of nursing. This scholarship allows me to have a lot more freedom to be involved with the things I love at UConn and to spend more time focusing on my studies.”
Theresa Connolly '13
School of Nursing
Rashid Hamid Scholarship Fund
"My UConn experience has been really exciting and rewarding. I love the atmosphere on the campus especially at sporting events. I love the interesting people I meet, and I love the knowledge I am gaining not only for academics but for life. I take music lessons every week and play guitar with a group of students in my free time. I also play basketball at the gym and many other sports including skiing with the ski club. This financial donation has helped me so much now, but it will be even more important a few years from now. This donation will save me from taking out loans and having to repay debts for a long time. My goals and dreams are to become a successful chemical engineer possibly in the pharmaceutical field, while also pursuing my love of music by continuing to write and play with a band."
Chris Charboneau '12
School of Engineering
Louis J. Barle Memorial Scholarship
"Words cannot express how grateful I was to receive this scholarship. I truly appreciated your financial support, especially during such tough times. Certainly, being an out of state student can be trying for my family. However, this scholarship allowed me to further excel in my last academic year, which was the final stepping stone before I began my official journey into the business world. I wish to take advantage of everything the University of Connecticut has to offer its students and give back as much as possible. As for a career, I would like to work for an advertising agency in New York City. I am truly feel blessed to have the opportunity to attend such a prestigious university during troublesome financial times. You have no idea what your generous financial support meant to my family and me."
Jenna Bellissimo '11
School of Business
Edgar L. Russell Scholarship Fund
"I would personally like to thank you for the scholarship I have received. I have been a recipient for four years as an honors civil engineering student at UConn. During my undergraduate experience my scholarship allowed me to travel to Ghana to participate in the design and building of a schoolhouse and to study abroad at the National University of Singapore. When I am not doing Steel Design homework you can find me sailing all over New England as a captain and member of the UConn Sailing Team, or in the Engineering 2 Building tutoring undergraduate students. After graduating in May I plan to work full time for a civil engineering firm. As I approach the end of my undergraduate studies it is clear to me that graduating without the financial strain of loans is a gift I owe to the generosity of scholarship donors."
Kerry Duffy '11
School of Engineering
Class of 1942 Memorial Scholarship
"This year I was a senior, and my entire undergraduate experience has been unforgettable. I have grown in more ways than I can count, and I have learned so much about the world, its cultures, and the people. I have tried to be as involved as possible and at the same time keep my grades as high as possible. I worked in Dr. Andrew Bush's Paleontology laboratory, I was the senior Mentor-Coordinator of the Puerto Rican and Latin American Cultural Center's Mentoring Program (METAS), I was the secretary to Spanish Club, I was an Ornithology tutor at the Center for Students with Disabilities, and I also work in the kitchen at Sacred Heart Manor (a retirement center for nuns). The financial aid provided opened all of these doors for me and many more. I am very grateful for all of the help and praise the generosity. I hope to begin graduate school and start working towards a PhD in Ecology. My ultimate goal is to work for a non-profit conservation organization and to continue doing research."
Grace DiRenzo '11
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Keith B. Johnson Student Emergency Award
"This first semester at the University of Connecticut - Storrs campus has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I have been able to meet other great students, outstanding professors and benefit from all of the services and activities the university offers. I have also joined Delta Sigma Pi, a professional fraternity where I’ve had the opportunity to meet UConn alumnus whom have been very helpful as I looked for internships this summer. I am proud to inform you that with dedication and hard work I completed my first semester at Storrs with a 4.0 GPA. I will also be a summer intern at IBM, which I am very excited about. As always, I am grateful for people like you who have given me the opportunity to keep pursuing my dreams."
Juan Arbelaez '11
School of Business
Asher G. Zlotnik Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Presnick Family Nursing Scholarship Fund
"This was my final year at UConn and the support I have received from scholarships helped me out tremendously. I have been able to support myself while doing my clinical rotations at various hospitals. This donation meant the world to me and I appreciate it very much!"
Renee Amoako '11
School of Nursing
Lodewick Endowment for the Advancement of Diversity
I am very thankful for my scholarship. As tuition costs rise from year to year, it is good to know that I can get help from donors. I know that not everyone is given scholarships so I am honored to be chosen to receive this one. It is one key that will open doors in my education.
Kurtis Adei '14
Joseph M. Lent Plant Science Scholarship
My passion lies in agriculture. I entered the University of Connecticut with one goal in mind, to be accepted to and graduate from the School of Pharmacy. I worked extremely hard, and when the time came the first part of my goal was accomplished, I was now on my way to becoming a pharmacist. As I began down to the road to this second part of my goal I realized that my heart and perhaps my soul were not invested in it any longer. After reading and digesting ideas of modern environmental activists, I began to formulate a new plan that required me to be able to produce food, and this is where my passion for all things agrarian began. I began gardening with the UConn EcoGarden club, producing a whole host of vegetables and herbs and it was set, I needed to learn more; I needed to be able to do this for the rest of my life. It is important to know the story of how I came to the place I am now, in order to understand and comprehend what I want to do with my life and ‘career.’ I am interested in small scale subsistence organic farming; I want to learn all I can about the art and science of it, when I feel I have gained a sufficient knowledge base, I want to turn around and teach those skills to as many people as will listen. In my opinion this is a fundamental way that we can begin to improve the health of our communities’ humans, animals and plants. I want to be a farmer.
Zac Brown '11
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
School of Nursing Endowment Fund for Excellence
I can’t believe that I am already at the dissertation phase of my Ph.D. journey. The extra scholarship support has allowed me to work fewer hours and focus more on finishing this degree. I hope to have a career in academia once I am done. It has really been a dream to pursue my PhD, as I was the first one to attend college in my family. I hope to inspire other Latino students to continue to further their education, and I hope to see my own children follow in my footsteps.
Jessica Alicea-Planas
School of Nursing
Eli Schwartz and Reva Barez Schwartz Scholarship Fund
Dr. Victor Rizza Scholarship Fund
John and Valerie Rowe Health Professions Scholars Program
So far, my experience at University of Connecticut has been a whirlwind. I have met many people and have already created strong and long lasting friendships. Along with learning to enjoy college, I have learned the important of academic success, which I take seriously. Overall, UConn has taught me that I am just as capable and prepared as my counterparts and success is possible. When I am not studying, I spend my time in the African American Cultural Center volunteering my time for their special events. In addition, I am also part of the Alpha and Omega Christian Club that has helped me stay closer to God. Without having scholarship support, the constant concern of the financial burden I left on my family would have not allowed me to focus. Fortunately, this financial support has taken that burden away and has allowed me to focus on getting my degree and also reach the next stage of my future, medical school. I am an inspiring physician seeking to dedicate my life to caring for others. This scholarship has only made this dream more possible.
Faith Crittenden '14
Jessie Carew Moreland Endowment Fund
Marjory C. Gelfenbien Scholarship Fund
I am very grateful. Without scholarship patrons, there would be many students such as myself unable to pursue the career they have dreamed of. As an out-of-state student, where unfortunately the tuition to attend is twice that of an in-state student, this scholarship will be a much-needed help. The reason I chose the University of Connecticut is because of its wonderful teaching program, and since I am pursuing a career in education, this is the best place for me to be. It is an honor to be awarded this scholarship.
Edward F. Boynton, Jr. '11
Neag School of Education
Treibick Family Chair for the Connecticut Information Technology Institute Fund
I really appreciate my scholarship, which greatly helps me. I am currently in my senior year in the School of Business, primarily taking courses in marketing, management information systems and entrepreneurship. I’m also the Vice President of the Information Management Association. We contact employers interested in hiring interns and new graduates with an MIS degree or with an interest in technology, and we organize meetings bringing employers and students together, facilitating employment opportunities for our fellow students. I plan on pursuing an MBA at MIT within three years of graduation with a focus on entrepreneurship and sustainability. After that, I hope to open a green business, to strengthen this country’s economy and help the environment. Thanks to the generous support of donors, students like me can be focused in school instead of having to work an excessive amount of hours during school. I hope one day I can return the favor to other students in need.
Diego dos Santos '11
School of Business
Lodewick Endowment for the Advancement of Diversity Scholarship
I really do appreciate my scholarship, which will help support me immensely as I pursue my college and career goals in business. My future academic plans are to major in Management in the School of Business, and graduate within four years. My career goals are to be successful in Management, get a promising job in business, and to represent UConn's name in a positive way. I also hope to be a great role model to my younger relatives and live my life to the fullest. I appreciate the scholarship donation so much and will use it wisely. Thank you!
Evian Crosdale '14
School of Dental Medicine Alumni Scholarship Awards
The School of Dental Medicine recently honored alumni and donors who contributed to support scholarship funds for the school's students. Several student recipients had a chance to meet their fund's donor, and explained what the private support has meant to them.
Andrews International Education Scholarship Fund
I am a graduate student in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Connecticut. I am a mom of two beautiful girls, ages 5 and 7, a wife, a full-time graduate student and a full-time graduate assistant. I am passionate about education, teaching and learning. I am and will continue to be a committed lifelong learner who hopes to help other Hispanic Americans learn the value and power of education. Here at UConn I have met professors and other students with this same passion. It is my desire to leave UConn in the fall 2011 in order to pass on that wealth of information and to recruit others to share this same passion. My greatest thanks for this scholarship is the help that it provided me in my financial need at this time. My husband and I are both attending school at this time. I am very thankful for your donation and I hope that in the near future, I too can be a donor to students like myself.
Eileen Gonzalez ’11
Neag School of Education
William and Mary Dwyer Scholarship Fund
This is my third year at UConn and I absolutely love it here. I am an animal science major and working with the animals at UConn has given me the much needed experience to reach my goals. As part of the pre-vet club I volunteer at the Humane Society and help with our annual dog wash. I also help with the annual open house as a Husky Ambassador. It's an easy job telling students how great my school is! I am currently studying abroad for the semester in Australia, and your financial support has made this possible. It is the experience of a lifetime and hopefully will bring me closer to my dream of going to veterinary school. Thank you!
Heather DeRico ’11
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Elizabeth Nicholson Memorial Scholarship
Being at UConn has been a great experience for me. Originally from Southern California, I wanted the opportunity for a change, and going to school here has given it to me. I love the amount of great sports I can watch (especially women's basketball) and the opportunities that have arisen as a double major in Music and Education for performing and teaching. I involve myself in the university's Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, and teach and observe classrooms all over eastern Connecticut. Because of this scholarship, I am one step closer to being the first in my family to graduate college. My experiences at UConn will help me become a better musician and teacher.
Jordan Gibson ’11
School of Fine Arts
Neag School of Education
Vergnano/Reddington Family Scholarship
Thank you so much for supporting the academic scholarship I have received, which has made my studies at the University of Connecticut possible. I am a sophomore chemical engineering student hoping to pursue minors in math and chemistry. Currently, I am participating in an undergraduate research project that focuses on turning the waste oil from the dining halls into biodiesel that can fuel the buses. I am also a member of the University of Connecticut Marching Band and Pep Band which has allowed me to become part of Huskymania in a way I never thought possible. My experience here has been amazing and it would not have been possible without your support. Thank you.
Kyle Christiansen ’12
School of Engineering
Joseph R. D'Alessio Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund
Looking back on my experience at UConn thus far, I think I have most enjoyed exploring all of the possibilities that this campus has to offer. This scholarship has made a difference to me because, in a campus of 16,765 students, it is hard to feel as though one truly stand outs. To me, this scholarship proves that my hard work and enthusiasm for getting involved actually did leave an impression on someone. Perhaps this is the legacy I will leave behind upon my graduation from UConn. After graduation it is my hope that the knowledge and life lessons I have accrued here will help me to better serve patients in my role as a pharmacist.
Kelly Cabral ’11 ’13
School of Pharmacy
Treibick Endowment Fund
I would like to thank you for your generous award. This past summer’s fellowship opportunity has allowed me to continue my research on Monk Parakeets and their nesting behaviors in efforts to find a non-lethal way of preventing them from nesting on utility poles in coastal Connecticut. I plan to write my University Scholar and Honors thesis this spring semester. Without this fellowship, I would not be nearly as far along in my research. I am in the process of applying to UConn’s Ph.D. program in ecology so that I can continue my research on Monk Parakeets and avian conservation biology. Ultimately, I hope to become a professor and work with environmental groups and government conservation agencies. The lessons I learned this past summer, and through my Monk Parakeet project, will stick with me as I continue to go forward with my career and for what part this award has played in that, I am very grateful for.
Kevin Burgio ’10
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Barbara E. Schreiber Memorial Scholarship Fund
UConn has been a part of my life for five years now and I am so appreciative of the experiences that I have been a part of. I will be graduating in May and I am extremely excited. Between work, school and my family responsibilities I did not have a spare minute, however with your contribution I was able to breathe a little easier. I am the first woman in my family to complete a college education and I wanted to thank you for being a part of my journey. I am looking forward to enjoying the summer break and moving right into a graduate program for school psychology.
Amanda Kecko ’10
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Samuel J. Orr Scholarship Fund
I did my best to make the most of my college career, and I engaged in many extracurricular activities serving the homeless, hungry, and immigrant poor in the region. I even had the experience of interning with the town of Mansfield, where I worked with the town manager and engineer to calculate the town’s yearly carbon footprint. My scholarships allowed me to pursue extracurricular activities and low-paying but idealistic jobs. The financial buffer they provided helped me amass a competitive resume. Along the way, my accomplishments were sufficient to merit nominations for the Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, and Truman Scholarships. I am so grateful to have received financial support in the form of scholarships, and I will carry this gratitude with me to one day become a scholarship donor myself.
Joseph Antelmi ’10
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
GE Advanced Materials Endowed Scholar Program Fund
For the past five semesters your scholarship has helped me pay for my undergraduate engineering education at the University of Connecticut, and I could not be more thankful for your generosity. Every semester here seems shorter than the next, and before I know it, I’ll be graduating with a degree in chemical engineering and minors in environmental engineering and chemistry. Between participating in IQConn, playing intramural flag football, volunteering with the Husky Ambassador Program, working with the school’s SWE group, or doing a whole range of other activities, I find my days filled to the brim and still getting busier! In fact, just this past month, I joined a research lab that focuses on membrane construction and research for use in osmosis- and reverse-osmosis-driven applications. Hopefully, I will be able to turn my work in the lab into a successful senior honors thesis and spark an additional research interest for my grad school aspirations.
Emily Cole ’10
School of Engineering
University of Connecticut Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment Fund
Theodore R. Rosenberg and Mary F. McVay Scholarship Fund
Mark E. Freitas Scholarship Fund
UConn has provided me with an outstanding education through the School of Business and allowed me to strengthen my leadership skills through involvement in on-campus activities. Academically I feel that I am well-equipped to enter into the workforce with a breadth of knowledge within the finance discipline. Through my involvement in 10 different organizations on campus, I have acquired leadership, planning, delegating and conflict resolution skills that will help me in building and managing my own business. The scholarships that I have received have allowed me to be the first person in my immediate family to receive their college degree and to move forward with my career without the burden of debt. Thank you for all that you have done. It is greatly appreciated.
Simone Hill ’10
School of Business
Russell Palen Scholar Award
Being a college graduate has always been one of the major goals in my life. Doing so would make me the first in my family to earn a degree. I put this goal aside to serve my country in the Marine Corps, and am now a veteran of both Afghanistan and Iraq. That's over now and being able to come home and go to UConn has been a dream come true. To receive a scholarship on top of this was unbelievable. I can't express my gratitude enough for the assistance you've given me in my pursuit to better myself. Thank you so much, and know that your generosity is appreciated, and making a difference.
Michael Bartas '13
Claire M. Berg Graduate Fellowship in Genetics
This is a very exciting time for genetic research at UConn and the Claire Berg Fellowship continues to foster and support excellence in genetics for the women in the Molecular and Cell Biology Department.
Thank you again for your generous contribution toward my future and the future of genetics at UConn.
Elisabeth E. Mlynarski, Ph.D. candidate
General Re Endowed Scholarship
Your scholarship has opened the door for me to step foot into UConn, thousands of miles away from my home, and put me on the path of being the first person in my family to graduate from college. Thus far I have maintained a 4.0 GPA, and was accepted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, which are two things that I am very proud of. Next semester I hope to get a writing tutoring position at UConn so that I can get some extra experience in my future field of elementary school teaching. I am already looking into various graduate schools so that I can get a master’s degree in education, as well as my teaching credential, and I honestly feel that all of the dreams I am planning for would not be possible without the generous scholarships I have received. I could not be more thankful for your part in helping me to achieve all that I want to in life.
Jessica Moreno ’11
The Ronald Bamford Fund
The fellowship I receive from the University of Connecticut has been extremely beneficial in performing my research. I am a Ph.D. student studying natural forest regeneration in the rain forests of Costa Rica, and the 1/2 time support I receive through my fellowship allows me to reduce my teaching responsibilities and spend much more time on planning and implementing my research. I hope that my research will make a difference in understanding how rain forests are able to regrow following human disturbance, which will have significant implications for management and conservation strategies. I plan to continue doing ecological and conservation research after I leave UConn, and aspire to ameliorate some of the negative impacts that humans are imparting to the Earth. Thank you so much for the fellowship support!
Vanessa Boukili, Ph.D. candidate
(Shown here with field assistant Rigoberto Gonzalez collecting tree leaves
from the rain forest canopy in La Selva, Costa Rica)
The Ronald Bamford Fund
The monetary support from the Ronald Bamford Endowment Fund has enabled me to carry out my laboratory research at UConn. My life goals are to complete my Ph.D. and to acquire a position as a professor at a small liberal arts university. I am very passionate about teaching and am looking forward to enlightening young people about plant biology. Thank you very much for your contribution to scholarship funds that enable students to successfully complete their research.
Jessica Budke, Ph.D. candidate
Hilda Kreyssig Purrington and Eugene C. Purrington Fund
I am studying horticulture in the School of Agriculture…I am planning to go on to the landscape architecture program for a four-year degree. When I get out I plan to get my grandfather’s farm started again and run a landscape architecture business as well.
Thank you for the financial support.
Timothy Moore ’10
John & Lois Churila Scholarship Fund
I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for your very generous scholarship. It is an honor to receive an award in your family’s name…I am the daughter of two Lebanese immigrants who came to the United States nearly twenty years ago. Having had very little educational background, they worked very hard to provide for my family, and continually stressed the importance of a solid education. I have acquired from them a strong sense of determination, perseverance, and enthusiasm. Along the way, they have also continued to instill in me core ethical values and integrity. All of these characteristics are what shape my academic goals today and continue to strengthen my focus and direction in life. I strive to maintain an exceptional academic record while pursuing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting at the University of Connecticut, and acquiring my CPA certification. Upon graduating, I hope to secure a solid full-time position at an exemplary accounting firm or world-renowned company where opportunities to excel are available. This very generous scholarship serves as additional motivation to continue to strive for success as I endure one of the most prestigious Accounting programs in the nation.
Aside from my academic and career objectives, I endeavor to be a well-rounded global citizen as well… I truly believe that giving back to my community is something very important, and while my resources today may be quite limited, I hope to one day be able to give so much more, just as you have done.
Theresa Atallah ’10
Learning Mentorship Program Fund
Having the extra scholarship money swayed the decision for me to come here, and for too many reasons to list, I can't thank my donor enough! I have met incredible people, become involved in various intramural sports and great programs like Husky Ambassadors or various facets of the Honors Program, as well as joining an amazing fraternity on campus. I would not have been here if it weren't for my donors’ support. Thanks to them, I have found here at UConn a passion for engineering physics, a major which I hope will help fuel my dreams to one day professionally design roller coasters for a living. It is a wild goal, but I know that what I learn here can take me there if I continue to work hard enough at it. Thank you!!
Sean Meehan ’10
Del Favero Agricultural Economics Fund
It is with deep gratitude I write this letter to thank you for your generous scholarship support through the 2008 Del Favero Agricultural Economics Scholarship…Being in the Department of Agricultural Economics has given me the opportunity to be the part of one of the top agricultural economics programs in the nation. I am a research assistant working on the project related to political will of local government officials and fisheries management. Also I am a teaching assistant…By awarding me the scholarship you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspects of school, learning and conducting the research. Thank you again for your generosity and support. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.
Nataliya Plesha, Ph.D. candidate
United Technologies Corporation Scholarship in Engineering
I am majoring in chemical engineering and minoring in chemistry. I love my experiences here at UConn, and I like how the school has so many opportunities for students. There are always job and internship fairs, volunteering activities, and seminars. I have taken advantage of everything the school has to offer and I have been a part of UConn Taiko for about a year now, as well as Omega Chi Epsilon, and Tau Beta Pi…I also work as an undergraduate research assistant in a lab focusing on artificial antibody synthesis. This scholarship has given me the motivation to grow, and year after year, I find myself doing that, with my latest accomplishment taking place in the research lab…Thanks to the scholarship, I am able to continue achieving my goals and in 2010, I will be the first person in my family to have attended a 4-year university and become an engineer. Thank you.
Emily Tao ’09
Del Favero Agricultural Economics Fund
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous contribution to my education through the Del Favero Agricultural Economics Scholarship and convey the importance of your support. With your help, I am able to pursue my greatest dreams and serve my college community.
At the University of Connecticut, I am involved in several extracurricular activities. I am a member of the men’s swimming and diving team competing in Division I athletics. In this capacity, I am able to achieve my athletic goals while also promoting the University of Connecticut to many perspective students. I also serve in the Undergraduate Student Government, representing the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This responsibility provides me the opportunity to voice the concerns of agricultural students at UConn to the entire student body. My time and activities here have instilled in me a strong sense of duty to serve my community, which I will carry with me throughout my life.
John Hogan ’10
The Capuano Fund
Through my hard work and diligence I persevered through the competitive pre-pharmacy program and received guaranteed admission into the prestigious pharmacy program…Being a pharmacist is something that I sincerely aspire to achieve. I hope to be the direct link between patients and doctors so that they may receive the appropriate treatment and alleviate the suffering that they endure. It is my hope that as I continue to learn more about the pharmacy profession that I will have the opportunity to engage in research and potentially assist in the development of a drug remedy that will relieve those individuals who have become victimized by Lyme disease. Both my mother and sister are currently receiving treatment for this disease. It is thanks to your scholarship that I will continue to pursue my dreams and complete my education at the University of Connecticut!
Michelle Nadeau ’10
Donald Hempel Memorial Fund
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for the generous gift. Your financial support has helped me to cover some of the expenses of being an out-of-state student at UConn. I love my experience here as an engineering & business major…It is because of generous donors like you that I am able to afford to attend the University.
Kristen Farley ’10
Merle S. Klinck & Irene Klinck Memorial Fund
The financial support provided for me has been a great help with the rising cost of tuition during these tough times and is appreciated by all in my family. My goal out of UConn is to become a fisheries biologist for a state agency and I feel as though I am heading in the right direction.
Kevin Job ’11
Nursing Scholars Fund
I am in my second year at UConn in the School of Nursing and I have been able to participate in many enriching activities due to the opportunities this scholarship and school have given me. I have volunteered at the Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Mansfield, CT and the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic, CT. Also, this past semester in my Public Health Nursing class, I did a service learning project in which we planned and implemented a nursing intervention for the prevention of obese and overweight kids starting in pre-school aged children…This experience helped me realize my dream to want to further my education past my bachelor’s degree in nursing and to go on to get my master’s and become an APRN in adult primary care or possibly go into a post-baccalaureate program for medical school…The funds allotted to me through this scholarship have enabled me to think more freely about my future whereas before, I was very closed-minded to pursuing education because of limited funds. I now know that if I work hard enough, I can figure out the funding to my future dreams. I am proud to say that I will be the first in my family to obtain a college education which I didn’t think was possible because my parents didn’t finish high school and never expected me to go to college.
Julie Zigadlo ’11
United Technologies Corporation Scholarship in Engineering
In the three years that I've been at UConn I've learned a great deal in my two majors, materials science and German studies, and both subjects have proved very interesting so far. While I have previously worked part time as a research assistant on campus, I'm currently studying in Stuttgart, Germany for a semester, and will soon be starting an internship here with Porsche AG. Thanks in part to your scholarship, I've been able to afford to study abroad this year and will not have to take out a loan to pay for my education, which will help me greatly upon graduating. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in materials engineering and to join the military.
Jeffrey Gagnon ’11
Legros-Mastovich Family Memorial Endowment Fund
With the help of your generous donations, I am now able to pursue a total of four majors: psychology, human development & family studies, actuarial science, and statistics. You have also provided me with the opportunity to become the site manager of the Collegiate Health Service Corps, a team leader for Community Service Days, and a student advocate for Violence Against Women Prevention Program and a variety of different community service programs. Just by being here, I have the chance to pursue something that I love, to challenge myself, and get one step closer of my dream of winning a Nobel Peace Prize. Thank you is not even enough to express my gratitude towards you for I am left without words.
Yuk-Ting Li ’12
Elmo and Burns Roper Endowment Fund
Thank you for selecting me as an award recipient for the Elmo and Burns Roper Endowment Fund. Currently, I am a second-year Ph.D. student in social psychology. My research interests include HIV prevention and women’s sexual risk-taking behaviors. I enjoy the opportunity to collaborate with faculty members and other graduate students on developing research projects. Being awarded a Roper Fellowship allowed me to develop a project I began in my first year of graduate school.
Angela White, Ph.D. candidate
Covenant Insurance Company Summer Fellowship
I am a doctoral candidate at the Center for Integrative Geosciences, which combines disciplines across the earth sciences and enables cutting-edge research in multi-discipline questions. My research involves investigation of historic river conditions for use in modern river restoration projects. The funding I received enabled me to focus full time on my field research last summer, the critical time to collect data. This was particularly important to me since I support a family of four, and simply would not have been able work full time on my research without supplemental funding.
Denise Burchsted, Ph.D. candidate
Covenant Insurance Company Summer Fellowship
With the financial support of the Covenant Insurance Summer Fellowship I was able to dedicate two months toward working on my manuscript of poetry…Thanks to your scholarship, I will be able to write the book of poetry that has been a major part of my life for the past ten years. Thank you once again.
Sean Frederick Forbes, Ph.D. candidate
