Hartford Scholars Benefit a Resounding Success

The 2005 Annual Scholarship Dinner and Auction to benefit the university’s Hartford Scholars program was a resounding success. More than $80,000 was raised for the Hartford Scholars program, which provides half-tuition scholarships to Hartford high school graduates who attend the university.

President Walter Harrison opened the event, held on April 2 at the Hartford Hilton, by saying that the Hartford Scholars are a dedicated and engaged group of students who are an asset to the university. “We provide these students with an education that is second to none,” said Harrison. “[They] make us proud and I hope they make you very proud.”

Many of the university’s 46 Hartford Scholars were present with approximately 250 guests in attendance. Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez, who was honorary chair of the event, presented Jason Levy, a senior at the university, with the Mayor’s Scholar Award.

Perez thanked guests for supporting the Hartford Scholars program which, he said, represents the hopes and dreams of the students and their families. “The key to this city is education and I have set up a Blue Ribbon Commission to develop a blueprint to increase student graduation rates by 25 percent. The Hartford Scholars program at the University of Hartford will continue to help students who might otherwise fall through the cracks.”

Peter Stevens, chair of the University of Hartford Associates and president of Jeter, Cook and Jepson, was thrilled with this year’s attendance at the event that has continued to grow over the last five years. The Associates is a group of businesses that provide scholarships and internships to Hartford Scholars. “We depend on this event to make dreams come true for Hartford public school students,” said Stevens, whose firm hires many Hartford Scholars as interns. The $1,000 Mayor’s Scholar Award is funded by Jeter, Cook and Jepson, and recognizes academic achievement and the role a student plays in both the university community and Greater Hartford.

Jason Levy, this year’s Mayor’s Scholar Award recipient, is a Weaver High School graduate and senior in the Barney School with a 3.27 GPA He is a resident assistant and is involved in organizations like Gamma Iota Sigma and Brothers and Sisters United, and holds an internship at Ernst and Young. He is also involved with INROADS/Greater Hartford and volunteers with Special Olympics

Levy emigrated from Jamaica five years ago where opportunities for higher education were distant “I am honored to be recipient of this award,” said Jason, when Perez presented him the scholarship. “I worked very hard and thank the Hartford Scholars Program.”

John Motley, former president of the St. Paul Travelers Connecticut Foundation, and recently named executive director of external affairs at the Hartford Public Schools, also made remarks. “Education is my first love and I am thrilled with the relationship with Hartford Public Schools and my hope is that my colleagues would support this wonderful event,” said Motley

Curtis St. Brice, one of the first Hartford Scholars who graduated in 1990, is now a patent engineer at Otis Elevator Co. He also holds a master’s degree in computer science.

“Through this program, the University of Hartford is contributing to the Hartford community and the community at large,” said St. Brice. “This was a truly worthwhile investment. My life is an example and catalyst for others to realize their dreams through the university’s investment in me.”