Scholarship Donors and Student Recipients Gather for UVM’s Fourth Annual Scholarship Luncheon
On a typical Friday afternoon you might find UVM senior and avid skateboarder Axel Heimer, III ’10 (Fred and Sally Hackett Scholar, DOSA Diversity Scholar) performing Ollies and kickflips on his board in front of Bailey/Howe Library. But this afternoon, Friday, October 2, he is pinning a name tag onto a neatly pressed dress shirt before greeting Sally Hackett ‘56, the founder and namesake of an endowed scholarship he receives, at the university’s fourth annual Scholarship Luncheon.
The event, which takes place during UVM Homecoming and Family Weekend, brings together scholarship sponsors and the student recipients of their funds. It is an occasion to celebrate the philanthropy of the university’s most generous scholarship donors and highlight the impact of the UVM scholarship program on both individual students and the community at large. This year nearly 200 guests have gathered for formal introductions, casual conversation, and reflection on the ways in which scholarship support, whether gifted or received, has touched each of their lives.
Over the course of lunch, participants have the unique opportunity to take a trip in time. Donors, many of whom once received much-needed scholarship assistance themselves, briefly revisit their own college days at UVM as they hear the success stories of students around the table for whom they have now made the UVM experience possible. Likewise, student recipients glimpse what their futures could hold and benefit from the bits of wisdom imparted by their benefactors, who have “been there, done that.”
As dessert is served, emcee for the event Meg Guzewicz ’73, president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, commences the program with a message of thanks to UVM supporters. “The impact of your philanthropy is only in its infancy,” says Guzewicz, “as the seeds you have sown today will sprout endlessly into the future and impact our world for generations to come.”
Several other speakers offer their perspectives on the impact of scholarship support. Frank McLaughlin ’10 (George C. & Gertrude D. Crooks Scholar, Irving Lisman Scholar), a non-traditional student who came to UVM in his late thirties to pursue a career in nursing, speaks about the financial burden his choice caused his family. “The financial reality of returning to school full-time became apparent rather quickly,” says McLaughlin as his wife Julie and daughter Lucy look on from their table. “Upon receiving my first scholarship letter, as with my subsequent awards, I felt an easing of the burden that Julie and I face following graduation, and for that, I thank you.” Upon his graduation in just a few months, McLaughlin says he plans to put his vital nursing skills to work locally, “giving back to the community that has given so much to me and my family.”
The second student speaker, DeAnna Bevilacqua ’11 (Jane Emily Clymer Memorial Scholar, Lyman S. & Mae T. Rowell Scholar), a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, is making the most of her UVM experience, serving as treasurer of the Taekwondo Club, Orientation and TREK leader, academic counselor, college tutor, and community volunteer, just to name a few. She believes UVM sets itself apart from other universities because of its inclusive culture and commitment to social justice, the many opportunities for extracurricular involvement, and its environmental awareness, not to mention the “never ending supply of Ben & Jerry’s.” Bevilacqua credits the financial support she has received in affording her these opportunities. “For many students like me, these contributions make a huge difference for us and our families, particularly during these financially difficult times,” says Bevilacqua.
Alumnus Robert Murch ‘71 offers a perspective from the other side of the fence, as someone who walked across the commencement stage nearly 40 years ago and has since built a successful career in engineering. Murch, along with his wife, Dr. Nancy Sears, and mother, Mrs. Trevor O. Murch, has established two endowed scholarships in his family’s name: the Robert S. Murch Scholarship in Electrical Engineering and the Trevor O. and Gladys Sherwood Murch Scholarship in the School of Business. He petitions the donors who are present to do likewise, if they can afford it, during their lifetimes. “Our financial manager recommends ‘giving while you’re living so you’re knowing where it’s going,’” he says. Murch believes that those who give scholarship assistance receive perpetual recognition, knowing that, “at least one time a year, someone at UVM will speak their name, and think kindly of their generosity.” Turning his attention to the students, Murch implores the scholarship recipients in the room to make wise use of the time they’ve been given as a result of their awards, and to remember the kindness of others as they move on in life. He leaves them with a final thought: “Recipients, you are the next generation of donors. So…learn, earn, and then, you share.”
President Daniel Mark Fogel reinforces the importance of scholarship support from an administrative viewpoint. He views scholarships as a vital element in reaching the university’s strategic goals, including recruiting a diverse and highly-qualified student body. “These are ambitious goals, as they should be. And the key to our ability to achieve them is embedded in a single word: scholarships,” he says. The university committed nearly $49 million in institutional financial aid in the 2009 fiscal year, adding another $10 million to that total this year despite a daunting economic environment.
As the program ends and those in attendance say their goodbyes, the feeling prevails that while much has been accomplished, the philanthropy being celebrated today will continue to give back exponentially.
“Take a look around; you may in fact be seated with a future Nobel laureate,” says Guzewicz. “It will be students like these who, by their talent, energy, and promise, will determine the future of our communities and the world.”
As students like Axel Heimer head towards graduation and eventually move on from the skate park to the industrial park, securing rewarding careers no doubt made possible by generous scholarship donors and a first-rate UVM education, perhaps they will answer the call issued several times during the luncheon: As soon as you’re able, give back.
Click here to view a slideshow presentation shown during this year's luncheon.
The event, which takes place during UVM Homecoming and Family Weekend, brings together scholarship sponsors and the student recipients of their funds. It is an occasion to celebrate the philanthropy of the university’s most generous scholarship donors and highlight the impact of the UVM scholarship program on both individual students and the community at large. This year nearly 200 guests have gathered for formal introductions, casual conversation, and reflection on the ways in which scholarship support, whether gifted or received, has touched each of their lives.
Over the course of lunch, participants have the unique opportunity to take a trip in time. Donors, many of whom once received much-needed scholarship assistance themselves, briefly revisit their own college days at UVM as they hear the success stories of students around the table for whom they have now made the UVM experience possible. Likewise, student recipients glimpse what their futures could hold and benefit from the bits of wisdom imparted by their benefactors, who have “been there, done that.”
As dessert is served, emcee for the event Meg Guzewicz ’73, president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, commences the program with a message of thanks to UVM supporters. “The impact of your philanthropy is only in its infancy,” says Guzewicz, “as the seeds you have sown today will sprout endlessly into the future and impact our world for generations to come.”
Several other speakers offer their perspectives on the impact of scholarship support. Frank McLaughlin ’10 (George C. & Gertrude D. Crooks Scholar, Irving Lisman Scholar), a non-traditional student who came to UVM in his late thirties to pursue a career in nursing, speaks about the financial burden his choice caused his family. “The financial reality of returning to school full-time became apparent rather quickly,” says McLaughlin as his wife Julie and daughter Lucy look on from their table. “Upon receiving my first scholarship letter, as with my subsequent awards, I felt an easing of the burden that Julie and I face following graduation, and for that, I thank you.” Upon his graduation in just a few months, McLaughlin says he plans to put his vital nursing skills to work locally, “giving back to the community that has given so much to me and my family.”
The second student speaker, DeAnna Bevilacqua ’11 (Jane Emily Clymer Memorial Scholar, Lyman S. & Mae T. Rowell Scholar), a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, is making the most of her UVM experience, serving as treasurer of the Taekwondo Club, Orientation and TREK leader, academic counselor, college tutor, and community volunteer, just to name a few. She believes UVM sets itself apart from other universities because of its inclusive culture and commitment to social justice, the many opportunities for extracurricular involvement, and its environmental awareness, not to mention the “never ending supply of Ben & Jerry’s.” Bevilacqua credits the financial support she has received in affording her these opportunities. “For many students like me, these contributions make a huge difference for us and our families, particularly during these financially difficult times,” says Bevilacqua.
Alumnus Robert Murch ‘71 offers a perspective from the other side of the fence, as someone who walked across the commencement stage nearly 40 years ago and has since built a successful career in engineering. Murch, along with his wife, Dr. Nancy Sears, and mother, Mrs. Trevor O. Murch, has established two endowed scholarships in his family’s name: the Robert S. Murch Scholarship in Electrical Engineering and the Trevor O. and Gladys Sherwood Murch Scholarship in the School of Business. He petitions the donors who are present to do likewise, if they can afford it, during their lifetimes. “Our financial manager recommends ‘giving while you’re living so you’re knowing where it’s going,’” he says. Murch believes that those who give scholarship assistance receive perpetual recognition, knowing that, “at least one time a year, someone at UVM will speak their name, and think kindly of their generosity.” Turning his attention to the students, Murch implores the scholarship recipients in the room to make wise use of the time they’ve been given as a result of their awards, and to remember the kindness of others as they move on in life. He leaves them with a final thought: “Recipients, you are the next generation of donors. So…learn, earn, and then, you share.”
President Daniel Mark Fogel reinforces the importance of scholarship support from an administrative viewpoint. He views scholarships as a vital element in reaching the university’s strategic goals, including recruiting a diverse and highly-qualified student body. “These are ambitious goals, as they should be. And the key to our ability to achieve them is embedded in a single word: scholarships,” he says. The university committed nearly $49 million in institutional financial aid in the 2009 fiscal year, adding another $10 million to that total this year despite a daunting economic environment.
As the program ends and those in attendance say their goodbyes, the feeling prevails that while much has been accomplished, the philanthropy being celebrated today will continue to give back exponentially.
“Take a look around; you may in fact be seated with a future Nobel laureate,” says Guzewicz. “It will be students like these who, by their talent, energy, and promise, will determine the future of our communities and the world.”
As students like Axel Heimer head towards graduation and eventually move on from the skate park to the industrial park, securing rewarding careers no doubt made possible by generous scholarship donors and a first-rate UVM education, perhaps they will answer the call issued several times during the luncheon: As soon as you’re able, give back.
Click here to view a slideshow presentation shown during this year's luncheon.
(for UVM staff)