Reverse Honor Roll
Students, faculty, and staff talk about how donor support has impacted their lives
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for [Mr. Weeks’s] generosity, as [his] philanthropic support of Rutgers University will doubtlessly transform the lives of many a student, just as it has transformed mine. Thanks to [his] gracious award, I will be able to work through this year with less weight on my shoulders, free from the uncertainty of not being able to pay tuition on time. I will be able to work fewer hours, maintain a healthier lifestyle, and, ultimately, put in the maximum effort that I can to achieve the highest accomplishments that I am capable of.”
–Somar C. Obeid ENG’21
“The Judith Fay Ross and the ICSC Rufrano and other scholarship support I have received as a RU-N student have allowed me to pursue higher education with no financial barrier. As a first-generation, low-income student, graduating debt-free from a four year institution seemed unfeasible. I’ve been able to accomplish a lot in undergrad, such as securing a full-time job at Deloitte & winning a Fulbright scholarship, without having to worry about the financial constraints of college. I’m incredibly grateful for these scholarships thinking of students like me.”
–Neidelyn del Carmen Pina RBS’20
“Studying theater through the Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare’s Globe in London has given me a rare opportunity to study Shakespeare in depth. The training, resources, and magic that the Globe has offered will always have a special place in my heart.”
–Jarrett Jung MGSA’18
“The Mortensen-Voorhees award has been great motivation for me as it recognizes that transportation is fundamental—to how we get around, to the way our neighborhoods are built, and to our communities’ economic development— and therefore needs bright minds to plan for it. Receiving the award was a big honor, and it also signals to me that I’m on the right track, doing something that is not only important, but also for which I have a passion and a knack.”
–Mary Buchanan EJB’18 | Recipient of the Mortensen-Voorhees Prize for Achievement in Transportation Studies
“Throughout my college career, I was always worried about how I was going to pay for school. The Druskin Scholarship put some of my financial stress at ease and allowed me to focus on my academics and developing as a leader on campus. I am incredibly grateful to be a Druskin Scholar. Having the opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs. Druskin made the scholarship even more impactful. Knowing that they believed in me enough to invest in my education and my future means more than words can describe. I am forever thankful for their support.”
–Antoinette Gingerelli SAS’17
“We’re thrilled that Duncan and Nancy MacMillan have supported the activities of the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, including those that focus on children. The Center for Childhood Nutrition and Education—one of several centers at the institute—is on a mission to increase our understanding about how kids grow through creative, science-based activities that are both fun and beneficial to their development. Duncan and Nancy’s interest in activities that teach children about nutrition, fitness, and food is truly gratifying, and their generous support provides our scientists with meaningful tools to develop effective curricula to benefit the very youngest in our state.”
–Bob Goodman, Executive Dean, Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
“The Road to Wall Street Program, supported by so many donors, is a perfect stepping stone for any student interested in a career on Wall Street. It offers many different opportunities to students not typically available, such as access to top alumni and site visits to some of the largest banks in the world. I believe the most beneficial part of the Road to Wall Street Program is the mentoring you receive from alumni. Mentors can be an excellent resource to help students figure out what they want to do with their career and ultimately how to achieve success.”
–Nicole Imbriaco RBS’16
“The opportunity to study abroad through the Hershhorn Scholarship is one that I feel changed my life, personally and professionally. I studied at the University of Queensland where I met a professor who studied dolphins and completed a project with him aboard a catamaran in Hervey Bay. This was my first experience in dolphin research and one that strongly influenced me to pursue a career in marine mammal research. As a naturalist, I now collect data aboard dolphin tours, conduct outreach programs to the general public about bottlenose dolphins, and supervise recently graduated college interns.”
–Jessica (Weiss) Taylor CC’01