April 2020
Celebration of Scholarships
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the University of Rochester’s annual Celebration of Scholarships. Every year, we gather to celebrate our students and recognize your generosity—as key contributors to our students’ success.
Although these unprecedented times make it impossible to share their stories and our gratitude with you in person, we can do that here. Our students inspire us, and so do you. Thank you for all you have done for them—and thank you for truly making the world ever better.
“Thank you for investing in the future of our students—many of whom faced unbelievable challenges to get here. For me, your generosity has given rise to something so powerful—and that is hope. This is such a priceless gift, more so now than ever.”
Sarah C. Mangelsdorf
University of Rochester President
G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor
“The University of Rochester had been my dream school, and I was lucky enough to receive the Handler Scholarship, which was a huge financial relief for my family. In the past four years, I’ve been able to do more than I ever imagined possible… I owe my life to Rich and Martha Handler, who opened this door for me to find and create so many opportunities for myself.”
Bri Terrell ’20, dual major in political science and American Sign Language
Handler Scholar
In their own words, four alumni share how the scholarships they received at the University of Rochester shaped their lives and careers.
Filmed prior to COVID-19
“It is thanks to you that I can grow not only as a student but as a person. The University of Rochester has helped me learn so much about myself as I reflect on what matters to me through the interactions I have.”
Claire Marie Lee Decker ’23
Stephen and Colleen Padnos Endowed Scholarship Fund
“Thank you for your support. Thank you for entrusting me with your gift, to further my training and to carry forward the principles of integrity, inclusion, compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence.”
Jerold Lundgren ’21M (MD)
Jacob David Goldstein Memorial Fund in Medicine
“When a person takes a leap of faith to support you, and plants just one seed, know that it can grow into something bright and bold. You have helped me more than you can imagine, and I will be forever grateful.”
Carmona Ross, Warner School of Education Doctoral candidate
Allison B. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship Fund
“The University of Rochester changed my life—and I never could have attended without a scholarship. Going to a place like Rochester and then having a successful career meant so much to me and my parents, who never went to college. It’s been beyond my wildest dreams that I could establish a scholarship in their names—the Byrd and Eva Waller Scholarship. It’s also been incredibly rewarding knowing that it specifically helps students who face the same kinds of challenges I did.”
Kathy Waller ’80, ’83S (MBA)
University of Rochester Trustee
Retired Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Coca-Cola Company
Celebration of Music
Andrea Velasquez ’21E, an applied flute major, performs Meditation de “Thais” by Jules Massenet. Velasquez is a beneficiary of the Hamlin Family Scholarship Fund and the recipient of the Joseph Mariano Scholarship for Flute. About her scholarships, Velasquez says that “it means so much that there are people are there who care about my education and success.”
Your generosity continues to transform lives—thank you.
Stay safe and be well. Meliora