Scholarship Recipients Say ‘Thank You’ to Benefactors

Donors and recipients of Fordham University’s 600-plus privately funded scholarships were celebrated on April 27 at the University Club in Manhattan.

The annual Scholarship Donors and Recipients Reception celebrated Fordham’s privately funded scholarships, which this year benefited more than 1,500 students.

“This is one of the most wonderful nights of the year for Fordham,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham. “Fordham is a community with the commitment and heart of a family. We understand that being part of that family places upon us a great responsibility to make it possible for those who come after us to have the same opportunities that we had.”

Father McShane thanked the scholars for “renewing our hope and challenging us every day to be ever better, ever greater stewards of the greatness that is Fordham.”

Scholarship recipient Lana Boone (FCLC ’09) is an example of someone who made the most of her time in college.

During her first year at Fordham College at Rose Hill, she tutored neighborhood children in the Bronx. Then she transferred to Fordham College at Lincoln Center. Later, she spent a year studying in Cairo, where she discovered a passion for international reporting.

Boone has since become an international public policy fellow and has interned at the Clinton Global Initiative, Fox News Channel and MTV. This fall, she begins graduate studies in international journalism at City University in London.

Would she have accomplished any of this if not for a scholarship given through the UPS Foundation/LaFarge Endowed Fellowship Program Fund?

“Probably not. I would have been a completely different Lana,” Boone told attendees at the event. “My higher education has shaped me into who I am today, and it was built off of the generosity of people like you who believe in students like me.

“Your donations help form the students who will shape our world,” she said. “The stock market might fall, but an investment in the education of America’s youth will never go bust.”

These days, it seems that student loans are a burden more and more college students have to bear. Fordham College at Lincoln Center sophomore Catherine Pizzano, one of three Fordham University Club of Long Island Endowed Scholars, said were it not for her scholarship, she would have had to take on more debt.

“It would be incurring all sorts of interest right now, so I really appreciate it,” said Pizzano, a math major. “These are great people, and it’s nice to meet the people who are funding my education.”

Representing the Fordham University Club of Long Island at the reception were Pasqua Hogan (UGE ’59, GSE ’62) and her husband, Arthur, who also sponsor another Fordham scholarship in honor of Pasqua’s sister, Mary Jacobellis (UGE ’53).

“It’s inspiring to meet young people that are so directed,” Pasqua Hogan said. “I’m just so pleased to be here and the [scholarship recipients]have been so loyal to us and the Fordham Alumni Club of Long Island.”

CBA sophomore Lydia Rhien decided to complete her undergraduate studies after years in the work force. She is one of several recipients of the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Scholarship for Mature Women Students.

“There are very few scholarships available for adults,” Rhien said as she chatted with Tom Wilfrid, Ph.D., the executive director of the foundation, about her goals of studying global business at Fordham. “It’s a wonderful support.

“My time at Fordham has been life changing,” Rhien said. “What is very unique about Fordham is that they incorporate the Jesuit influence of honoring the individuality of the person. The faculty inspire you to have a balance in terms of helping the community. This scholarship has given me a second chance in my life. I wouldn’t be here without it.”