Honoring Generosity and Celebrating Our Scholars
Last Thursday, September 21st, the Cafeteria on North Campus was filled to the brim with excitement as we held our Annual Scholarship Luncheon. We transformed the cafeteria into a hub of recognition, inspiration, and celebration as students, donors and other community members gathered
Scroll below to read more and see photos of the event Board member Paul Lamanna calls the best day of the year of the Foundation!
The Scholarship Luncheon is not just about awarding scholarships. It is about celebrating the power of education and the belief in the potential of each recipient. This event always brings together our donors, students, families, and the Foundation together in a celebratory atmosphere, upgraded a bit this year with a new menu by Chef Mark Wright that included a selection of salads, tortellini, steak tips and rice pilaf finished off with a scrumptious chocolate parfait!
With opening remarks from our Scholarship Committee Chair Paul Lamanna, Chair of the Board of Trustees Jeff Stone, and Officer-in-Charge Dr. Adiam Tsegai, we kicked off by recognizing the individuals and organizations whose unwavering support make these scholarships possible, most especially West Herr. Our remarkable donors believe in our students and invest in their futures, each bringing a unique reason they choose to support scholarships and students at SUNY Erie are inspiring. We are so grateful for their unwavering commitment to SUNY Erie!
Over lunch and as we presented awards, donors and recipients had the opportunity to interact and connect on a personal level. It was an amazing chance for students and donors to connect and share their stories over a delicious meal. These connections will go a long way towards creating opportunities for mentorship and guidance and to further the impact of these scholarships. This is one of, if not the most, rewarding event the Foundation hosts, and we have already seen follow-up and follow-through on some of the connections forged last week!
This event was truly a resounding success! We are sincerely grateful for all the support we receive and to all those who were able to join us. This event is an annual reminder that education is a transformative force that can change lives and that when we come together to invest in our students we are developing a promising a future for all.
