newsbriefs
C e l e b r at i n g s t u d e n t a wa r d e e s a n d a ck n o w l e d g i n g s ch o l a r s h i p d o n o r s
Scholarship Donor Recognition Luncheon UM scholarships are crucial in transforming the lives of students and in turn the generations who will benefit from their education.
6 Spring 2013
On Tuesday, February 12, 2013, the University of Miami honored visionary philanthropists, who have made generous scholarship gifts, during the Scholarship Donor Recognition Luncheon. This annual luncheon celebrates the accomplishments of student awardees, acknowledges scholarship donors as well as allows students the opportunity to interact directly with the individuals who have supported their academic endeavors. The event included inspirational speeches by President Donna Shalala, Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs Sergio Gonzalez, Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Larranaga, and UM Trustee Wayne Chaplin, president and chief operating officer of Southern Wine & Spirits of America. “Scholarships are, by definition, among the most merit-based elements of an academic community like the University of Miami,” Chaplin said to the students. “All of you are here today because you’ve earned the right to be here with a heavy investment in study, the accumulation of
knowledge, and the development of insight and expression of wisdom. Truly, there are few greater honors in academia than being a scholarship recipient.” Over 100 students in the College of Arts and Sciences receive scholarships on an annual basis. The luncheon provided an opportunity for scholarship donors and recipients to connect with one another including Michael and Peggy Gaines with George T. Kaplan ’13, the recipient of the Nathan R. Gaines Scholarship; Ann Raff with Vanessa Rayan ’14, the recipient of the Alan and Ann Raff Scholarship; and Ana Fernandez ’93 with Laura Chaviano ’13, the recipient of the Elysa K. Mestril Endowed Scholarship. UM recognizes the students’ need for economic assistance, which equates with having students who succeed while at the university and long after graduating from it,” said Chaviano, who will graduating in May with a double major in Microbiology and Spanish, who currently receives three scholarships: the Dean’s scholarship, Elysa K. Mestril and the Alvin Sherman Endowed Scholarships. “I came from Cuba when I was fourteen years old, I grew up with a single parent, and if it were not for these scholarships, I would not have been able to come to UM. Clockwise from top left: Peggy Gaines, George T. Kaplan, and Michael Gaines; Vanessa Rayan, Ann Raff and Dean Bachas; Scholarship Donors were welcomed with an introductory video from students.