May 7, 2021 (Middletown, Conn.) — On Thursday, May 6, 2021, the Middlesex Community College (MxCC) Foundation conducted a virtual Scholarship Awards Ceremony and awarded 84 students scholarships totaling $85,950.
“The MxCC Foundation helps the college as a catalyst for making connections with businesses, nonprofits, local foundations and over 90,000 alumni,” said Steven Minkler, MxCC CEO, while thanking donors and congratulating the student recipients in his welcome speech. “The community understands we’re not just an educational institution. We are a place where students become connected with each other and where, together, we are creating the future.”
Hosts for the online ceremony, which was produced by the college’s Center for New Media, were Kimberly Hogan, dean of administration, and Frank Stellabotte, professor and co-chair of the MxCC Foundation scholarship committee. They paid tribute to a former dean and scholarship donor, Richard M. Muñiz, and announced four new scholarships for this year—the Amy Loved Animals Memorial Scholarship, the Eriksen Family Scholarship, the Insalco Scholarship and the Follett Scholarship.
To recognize Dean Muñiz, also a former long-time MxCC scholarship committee member who passed away in January, the hosts highlighted his philanthropic commitment to students and introduced members of the his family.
“My father’s educational journey truly began before he ever opened a book, before he walked into a classroom,” said Andrea Muñiz Doherty, who is also an MxCC alumna. “It was the foundation of hard work, discipline and a quest for knowledge that he received from my grandparents.”
Muñiz grew up in Puerto Rico and later established an endowed and an annual scholarship during his time at MxCC. Both awards are presented to a new or continuing Hispanic student, matriculated in a degree program on a full- or part-time basis and has a 3.0 GPA or higher. Frances Cruz-Bruno, a psychology studies major, and Carletta Reyes, a health information management major, earned the awards this year.
Aleksandra Willey, a veterinary technology major, received the Amy Loved Animals Memorial Scholarship. Established by donors Alfred and Debbie Loomer, the memorial award honors “Amy,” a vibrant 12-year-old who had a big heart, kind soul and a love for animals. To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must be enrolled in the veterinary technology program and have demonstrated a commitment to animal welfare by working with animals as a volunteer or as an employee.
The Eriksen Family Scholarship was established by Richard Eriksen, MxCC professor of multimedia/digital arts, and his family. He presented the award to Danielle Nicole Minicucci, an art studies major. To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must be a full- or part-time student, preferably studying art or graphic design, with the intent to continue their education by earning a four-year degree.
“We are sure that Danielle’s creativity and future experiences will resonate throughout our community, adding another fulfilling chapter to the ever-growing Middlesex Community College story,” said Eriksen during the ceremony.
The Follett Scholarship was established through achieving funds as a partner of the Red Moon Gala, an annual MxCC Foundation fundraising event. Julie Orenstein, a digital media production major, earned the award.
Reyes also received the Insalco Scholarship for demonstrating a proven drive to succeed in college while showing a commitment to bettering themselves by being involved in activities and working to support her education. To be eligible for this scholarship, the recipient should have at least a 2.0 GPA and be a continuing or graduating full- or part-time student who is continuing on to earn a four-year degree.
Faith Jackson, MxCC alumna, MxCC Foundation corporator, and the director of equal opportunity and diversity management for the city of Middletown, presented the Alumni Endowed Scholarship to Emma Belcourt, a radiologic technology major. This scholarship is awarded to an entering or returning student who demonstrates a financial need to continue education and has a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Other speakers at the event were Laura Krueger, MxCC Foundation board chair, Donna Bontatibus, interim associate dean of academic affairs, and Jacob Murphy, MxCC 2019.
Members of the scholarship committee carefully followed the criteria for each award as they chose the recipients listed below and in the program. For a list of all the award descriptions, please visit the MxCC Foundation website.
Muhammad Ridhwan Abdulsalam, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Garrett Allain, Business Administration Scholarship
Kaya Anderson, Liberty Bank Foundation Scholarship
Danae Armstrong, Martha DePecol Sanner Endowed Scholarship
Eva-LaRue Barber, Herbert Levine MD Endowed Scholarship
Emma Belcourt, Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Taylor Bergeron, Catherine L. Dennis Endowed Scholarship
Luis Calderon, Philip and Amy Wheaton Endowed Scholarship
Maia Carpentino, Peach Pit Foundation Scholarship
Alexis Clark, Judith and Robert Walsh Scholarship
Frances Cruz-Bruno, Dean Richard Muniz Family Scholarship
Brianna Duffy, Middlesex United Way Women’s Initiative Scholarship
Kaoutar Tayoubi Elidrissi, STRIVE Scholarship
Raena Ferguson, STRIVE Scholarship
Sandy Fernandez, Liberty Bank Foundation, Patrick Campbell Memorial Scholarship
Thomas Fitzpatrick, Rowland and Ruth Beaulieu Business Administration
Victoria Footit, Faculty Endowed Scholarship
Oliver Franco, Gandhi Endowed Scholarship
Siera Frascarelli, Jesse J. Salafia Nursing Award
Marisol Garcia, Altrusa International of Central Connecticut Scholarship
Coleen Joi Gaydowen, Nihla and Bob Lapidus Foundation Scholarship
Mia Giacometti, MILE Scholarship
Christina Giannelli, Raymond Robinson Endowed Scholarship
Britney Godfrey, Philip and Amy Wheaton Endowed Scholarship
Jacob Goodman, Liberty Bank Foundation Scholarship
Natasha Green, Martha DePecol Sanner Endowed Scholarship
Catherine Griffin, STRIVE Scholarship
Erica Guasp, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Kendra Guibord, Founders Endowed Scholarship
Lacey Hall, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Taylor Holland, MILE Scholarship
John (Jack) Howell, Eames Family Endowed Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
Thomas Hutchinson, Pratt & Whitney Scholarship
Nicholas Ingala, Nihla and Bob Lapidus Foundation Scholarship
Anna Jimenez, Judith and Robert Walsh Scholarship
Norah Jones, Carolyn and Ken Innocenzi Meriden Administrator Scholarship
Amanda Keegan, Martha DePecol Sanner Endowed Scholarship
Meghan Kehlenbach, Judith and Robert Walsh Scholarship
Patricia Kiszka, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Dallas Lance LaComb, Carolyn and Ken Innocenzi Meriden Administrator, MxCC STEM Scholarship
Gary Lambert, Lisa Massita Scholarship
Hannah Lebeau, Dave Champion Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Dave Champion Memorial Annual Scholarship
Dawn Lloyd, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Da’Quan Marques Long, Philip and Amy Wheaton Endowed Scholarship
Maui Lopez, Robert A. Chapman Endowed Scholarship
Morgan C. Manning, Raymond Robinson Endowed Scholarship
Emira Martin, STRIVE Scholarship
Riley McConnell, Dean Adrienne Maslin Scholarship
Colin McKernon, Beaulieu Manufacturing and Machine Technology Scholarship, Patrick Campbell Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth McLean, Dean’s Endowed Scholarship
Danielle Nicole Minicucci, Sarah Cavanaugh Memorial Scholarship, Eriksen Family Scholarship
Jennifer Mol, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Sherry A. Moran, Boris Burack Endowed Scholarship
Crystal Munoz, Record Journal Foundation Scholarship
Michael Thomas Murallo, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Lady Navarro, STRIVE Scholarship
Julia Noriega, Mayor’s Scholarship for Middletown
Aaron Nyambe, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Cedric Onema, STRIVE Scholarship
Julie Orenstein, Follet Scholarship
Jennie R. Osterman, Nihla and Bob Lapidus Foundation
Alyse Pellegren, Peach Pit Foundation Scholarship
Lesley Phaneuf, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Ewa Pisarczyk, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Bryan Prado, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Carletta Reyes, Dean Richard Muniz Endowed, Insalco Scholarship
Katie Richardson, Raymond Robinson Endowed Scholarship
Jennifer Ripley, Patrick Campbell Memorial Scholarship
Glenda Rivera, Beaulieu Manufacturing and Machine Technology Scholarship, Patrick Campbell Memorial Scholarship
Mary Rivers, Edie Fuld Endowed, Liberty Bank Foundation Scholarship
Shannon Royce, Rowland and Ruth Beaulieu Business Administration, Beaulieu Endowed Scholarship
Diana Setter, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Casey Solomon, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Elizabeth Stankiewicz, Raymond Robinson Endowed Scholarship
Juliana Sterling, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Nichole Szymaszek, Gandhi Annual Scholarship
Elena Uradnik, Nihla and Bob Lapidus Foundation Scholarship
Adele Veilleux, Robert A. Chapman Endowed Scholarship
Sarah Wall, Eames Family Endowed Scholarship
Grace Wete, Paul L. Jones Foundation Scholarship
Aleksandra Willey, Amy Loved Animals Memorial Scholarship
Quenisha Williams, Rowland and Ruth Beaulieu Business Administration, STRIVE Scholarship
About the MxCC Foundation
The purpose of the MxCC Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in Connecticut, is twofold: to support the college and its students by receiving, managing, and distributing funds for scholarships and other educational purposes, and to generate and strengthen communication and collaboration between the college and the foundation and business, industry, professional, civic, and educational leaders in the communities served by the college—all of Middlesex County, Meriden and Wallingford in New Haven County, and Rocky Hill in Hartford County.
About Middlesex Community College
Since 1966, Middlesex Community College has provided high-quality, affordable and accessible education to a diverse population, enhancing the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate, and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. A part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, MxCC offers more than 70 degree or certificate programs at the main 35-acre campus in Middletown, MxCC@Platt in Meriden and online.
