1.
Supporting Student Possibility 2.
A
FIRST VIRTUAL HEARTS & MINDS IS A RECORD-BREAKING EVENT
lumni and friends demonstrated their deep belief in
Jesuit education and stalwart support of students in
the first virtual Hearts & Minds: The Annual Saint Peter’s University Scholarship Celebration held on May 7. More
than 150 participants—from Jersey City and locations
Adrista Ramirez ’21, a recent accounting graduate with plans
to pursue a master’s in business analytics, was one of several first-generation college students who expressed gratitude to
donors. “Scholarship support allowed me to attend Saint Peter’s and graduate debt-free,” said Ramirez, who, earlier that day, was
all over the country—came together online to honor the first
inducted into the New Jersey Collegiate Business Administration
Magis award winners, Patricia McQuillan Cummings ’77 and Kevin
Association (NJCBAA) Honor Society, a statewide association that
Cummings and Cheryl and Joseph Della Rosa, and to ensure that
recognizes one percent of the top performing business students
Saint Peter’s continues to open its doors to a diverse student body,
each year. “It enables me to kick start my career and to start giving
more than 50 percent of whom are still the first in their families
back sooner. I aspire to establish a scholarship of my own one day
to graduate college. With nearly $350,000 raised prior to the
so I can help others the way I’ve been helped.”
event––a Hearts & Minds fundraising record––attendees generously
From present day undergraduates to honorees, the opportunities
contributed an additional $50,000 for the General Scholarship Fund
afforded to first-generation college students was an overriding
during the evening’s fund-a-scholar auction. The spontaneous
theme of the evening. “The value of a Jesuit education is priceless,
and heartfelt show of generosity was helped by a matching gift
and this scholarship fund helps so many first-generation college
challenge of $10,000 from Beth and Ken Moore ’91, and the gifts
students on their path to great careers,” said Patricia Cummings,
continued even after the live event concluded.
who appeared with her husband, Kevin, from a remote location. “I
20
Fall 2020 Spring 2021
