Donors, students come together at Scholarship Recognition Dinner

^{By: Andrew Mees, Director of College and Athletic Communications  communications@bloomfield.edu}

Every college student has a story.

For Toni-Marie Sosnowski, her journey to becoming a promising nursing student featured stories of hardship and perseverance, a long and winding road that has finally led to a promising life with her seven-year-old son, Kaiden.

For Katie Aumann, her journey towards a career in science has taken her from midwestern routes to a place in the shadows of Manhattan that has allowed her to conduct cutting-edge research while being a two-sport athlete. And for Roy Pellew, a voyage towards a degree has seen what was once a shy, soft-spoken boy turn into the President of his school’s Student Government.

But behind every tale of achievement and triumph, there are the people who help make these transformational opportunities possible. Without them, countless Bloomfield College students would not be able to afford a comprehensive college education, and miss the chance to discover themselves along the way. And for one autumn evening, the students they touch with their generosity provided a remarkable window into the powerful impact their commitments have on the leaders of tomorrow.

Scholarship donors and their recipients came together for an evening honoring the power of a helping hand on Oct. 29, as the institution held its annual Scholarship Recognition Dinner in an evening ceremony at Mayfair Farms.

Sponsored by prominent financial services company Wells Fargo, the night honored scholarship donors who give annually to 241 Bloomfield students, helping them pursue their academic and professional dreams at one of New Jersey’s most dynamic institutions.

“Wells Fargo is honored to support Bloomfield College and its annual event to recognize the generosity and contributions of everyone who works hard to ensure these outstanding students achieve their full potential and have successful futures,” Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Private Bank Hector Banegas said. “The development of today’s youth is a critical element for a vibrant global community, and we are committed to investing in institutions and programs that help advance the knowledge, skills and confidence young people need to become productive leaders of tomorrow.”

Speeches from recipients provided an emotional and inspirational ending to the evening, their stories of how scholarships have made their college experiences possible providing a heartwarming finale to one of Bloomfield’s signature events.

“Every year, this event provides us with a reminder of how special our students are, and how scholarships help them reach their goals,” Director of Donor Relations and Events Nicole Quinn said of the festivities. “Their speeches let their donors and the rest of our prestigious audience know how much they appreciate the support they give them each year, and how they are continuing to make their donors proud with their amazing work in all areas of the College. This is one of our favorite events each year, and we are already looking forward to a great Recognition Dinner in 2014.”

To learn more about becoming a scholarship donor, visit www.bloomfield.edu/giving/scholarships