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Alum Remembers Dean Endowed scholarship honors Dr. Charles N. Micarelli Scott Worrell ’85 had almost wrapped up a very successful freshman year at UCF when his father died the week before his final exams. Worrell faced financial hardship as a result and attempts to secure financial aid and scholarships were unsuccessful. He remembers thinking he would have to transfer to another school in order to continue his education. Worrell turned to Dr. Robert Gennaro, his student adviser, who directed him to Dr. Charles N. Micarelli, founding dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and later vice president for academic affairs and dean of Undergraduate Studies — two men who Worrell considers like godfathers. “Dr. Micarelli found a way for me to get a scholarship,” says Worrell. In fact, Micarelli, who retired from teaching in 1998 and passed away in 2013, was the reason Worrell stayed at UCF. “If it weren’t for him, I don’t know what would have happened. He started the ball rolling and opened the door for more scholarships to come later.” Thanks in part to support from Gennaro, Micarelli and, later, Dr. Budd Berringer — who helped Worrell hone in on the final preparation for medical school — he not only continued his studies at UCF, but excelled and graduated from Harvard Medical School. He never forgot, though, the impact of the first scholarship that he received as an undergraduate. “The time came that I could give back in a more profound way,” says Worrell, and he wanted to honor the man who helped him stay at UCF. Worrell and Micarelli had stayed in touch over the years, and shortly before Micarelli died, the two had connected by phone. “The dean was in declining health at that time,” says Worrell, “but I was able to talk to him about the scholarship, and he and his wife gave me their blessings to name it after him.” This year, thanks to Worrell’s continuing generosity, The Micarelli Endowed Scholarship for Students in Need has reached endowed status, which means it will help Knights for years to come.
Micarelli was the reason Worrell stayed at UCF. “If it weren’t for him, I don’t know what would have happened.” Worrell never forgot and established an annual scholarship at UCF to honor Micarelli and to help highachieving students with financial need.
“I’M EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON THE TREMENDOUS MOMENTUM UCF’S TALENTED STUDENTATHLETES, COACHES AND STAFF HAVE ESTABLISHED WITH THE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT OF KNIGHT NATION AND SO MANY GENEROUS DONORS.” —Terry Mohajir, UCF’s new vice president and director of athletics
ucffoundation.org
Inspired by Giving “UCF has given me so much — more than I can ever repay,” says Rachel Barnes Eisenberg ’17. Because of the support she received as a student, Eisenberg started giving back to her alma mater as soon as she could. “Part of the reason I came to UCF was a scholarship I received after I applied,” she says. Although it was considered a small amount — $750 per semester — it made a big difference. “I know a lot of people think about scholarships in four- or five-figure amounts, but [my scholarship] went a long way,” she says. Serving as a 4EVER Knights ambassador, Eisenberg was able to work and attend the IGNITE Campaign launch back in 2016, which inspired her love and passion for nonprofit organizations and fundraising. Today, she works as a development coordinator for Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras. The pandemic has definitely challenged her and her husband, David Eisenberg ’17, but the couple has tried to stay connected to UCF and support it in any way they can, from donating to programs and scholarships, to attending home games or reaching out to mentors. But no matter what is going on in the world, UCF is still front and center with them. We are diehard UCF fans; we bleed black and gold, and it is our highest philanthropic priority.” The Eisenbergs