The Berkeley College Foundation celebrated the achievements of scholarship recipients and honored two leaders at the 2019 Leadership Recognition Dinner held in Woodland Park, NJ, on November 14, 2019. Citing the accomplishments in supporting the Foundation, Dario A. Cortes, PhD, Founding Executive Director, acknowledged what the contributions and benefits have been able to accomplish.
“I want to thank everyone here who has helped establish and build this Foundation to be able to benefit our students here at Berkeley College. The students need your support in so many ways, not only with tuition assistance, but as you have heard, sometimes the challenges include transportation or food insecurity. There are many barriers that you help students overcome with your support,” said Dr. Cortes.
The Berkeley College Foundation scholarship award program began in 2018 when eight students received the awards that would help them meet the expense of tuition. In 2019, another 10 scholarships were awarded, for a total of $40,000 in tuition aid. As long as the student maintains eligibility, the $1,000 scholarship award per semester remains in effect for the duration of the student’s program. In addition, contributions from the Berkeley College Foundation helped to establish a Food Pantry at the Newark, NJ campus for all students, and to provide discounted MetroCards for eligible students to meet their transportation costs in New York City.
At this year’s Dinner, the Foundation also bestowed the Distinguished Alumni Award to Cecilia M. Perez, Vice President, Litigation & Regulatory Proceedings Team, Goldman Sachs & Company, and the Outstanding Contribution Award to Kenneth L. Weinstein, President and CEO, Newtown Savings Bank.