Scholarships Celebrated at University-Wide Reception
The University’s fifth Celebration of Scholarships was held on Sunday, April 6, and was attended by more than 220 scholarship donors and recipients. The annual event recognizes scholarship donors across the University and provides a special opportunity for them to meet the students they are supporting.
More than 220 scholarship recipients and their donors were inspired by student and donor speakers, student performers, University leadership, and the generosity of scholarship donors from across the University.
Held in the M&T Ballroom at the Memorial Art Gallery, the event was attended by University leaders, including President Joel Seligman, several deans, and Board of Trustees members. After scholarship donors had a chance to visit with their recipients, guests were welcomed by University Trustee Paul Griner ’59M (MD), ’65M (Res), who created the Paul F. Griner, M.D. Merit Scholarship in 2007 to help students realize the unique opportunities that a Rochester medical education provides. Dr. Griner highlighted those who spoke and performed during the event, including Chris Doser ’14E, ’15, recipient of the Robert J. and Signe Sebo Zale Scholarship, who performed with his jazz quartet during the reception.
Barbara Burger ’83 shared how faculty support and a well-rounded education at the University inspired her to support scholarships. She established the Barbara J. Burger Endowed Scholarship in the Sciences to support students pursuing degrees in biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, or physics. President of Chevron Technology Ventures, Burger currently serves on two University of Rochester regional cabinets, one in the San Francisco Bay Area and the other in Texas. Student speaker Shay Behrens ’14, recipient of the Alan and Jane Handler Scholars fund which was established by University Trustee Rich Handler ’83 and his wife, Martha, in honor of Rich’s parents, then shared her experience at the University. Raised in an agricultural community in southwest Iowa and the first in her family to attend college, Behrens spoke about the doors that opened for her when she was offered the Handler Scholarship. Acknowledging Behren’s accomplishments and those of other scholarship recipients in the room, President Seligman then highlighted the importance and impact of scholarships at the University and on the community, thanking the audience for their generous support.
Scholarship support is among the highest priorities of The Meliora Challenge:The Campaign for the University of Rochester. Scholarships help Rochester attract high-performing students, shape a diverse learning community, and educate society’s future leaders. They also ensure that every qualified student can afford to attend the University of Rochester, regardless of their financial circumstances.
For more information about endowed scholarships at the University of Rochester, please contact the Office of Stewardship at (585) 273-4645.