George I. Alden Trust Scholarship
About the Endowed Scholarship
George I. Alden established the George I. Alden Trust on August 24, 1912. The Trust was established for the general purpose of "the maintenance of some charitable or philanthropic enterprises" with specific interest in "the promotion of education in schools, colleges, or other educational institutions." The Trust continues to support Mr. Alden's desire to "do the greatest good for the greatest number."
Student Recipients
Daniel Marino '20
Hometown: Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Major: Marketing
“To me, the best part about being a SHU student is constantly knowing that the people around me are working to help others be successful. Faculty and staff work incredibly hard for students here, and the students cooperate to help one another. The amount of volunteerism and support this school provides to the city of Bridgeport is astounding, and I cannot be more proud to be a contributor to that. My professional goals involve being a marketing manager of an international firm that works to help those in need. Whether it is a non-profit a philanthropic mission and business model, I want to work for a company that understands, respects and works towards human dignity and prosperity. My minor in global business management has introduced me to negotiation tactics in addition to principles of cross-cultural relations that will truly enable my success in the field. Through the knowledge I gain through my major and minors, I am confident that I will meet my goals during my career. As a member of several executive boards including the Math Club, Student Government, and Interfraternity Council, I am working on campus every day. However, I find I am most joyful when I am volunteering off-campus. Through my roles as a Community Connections Facilitator and a member of both the Habitat for Humanity Club and Alpha Phi Omega, a service-based fraternity, I am consistently working to help the city of Bridgeport with my time and efforts in hopes of inspiring others to do the same. I am incredibly honored to have received this scholarship, and I am truly grateful for it. Financial struggles have certainly added to the daily struggles of college life, but this scholarship is an answer to many prayers and has allowed me to spend more time focusing on my schoolwork. I try to give my time and skills to those who need it, and I am a strong believer in the idea of paying it forward. Through volunteer work and hopes of establishing a scholarship for others once my career takes flight, I will be working towards a better future in which others can benefit from the success I have received and the people who have made it possible. Thank you so much for choosing me as the recipient of this scholarship.”
Floreese Martinez '20
Hometown: Cliffside, NJ
Major: Criminal Justice
"My favorite thing about SHU is the access to such a great education. I intend on pursuing a career in adult probation. My minor in social work has prepared me for the role by giving me the skills I need to work with clients. In addition, the coursework, and the opportunity to work with clients via an internship have given me the tools I need to succeed in this field in the future. I enjoy attending Sacred Heart football games. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue my education. I greatly appreciate the impact you have on my future."
Diana Pineda ’20
Hometown: Port Chester, NY
Major: Exercise Science
“The beautiful growing campus makes me proud to be a member of the Sacred Heart community. I enjoy all of my classes and the attention from my professors. The small class sizes help me understand and learn the material very well. My goal is to pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a nutrition Master. My major in Exercise Science includes all the prerequisites I need to continue on to graduate school. I enjoy learning about the human body and how it works anatomically and physiologically to help us move and work in harmony. I hope to help people live healthy lifestyles and improve their health. I am also minoring in Italian because it is a beautiful language and the Italian culture fascinates me. I enjoy club sports at SHU because it is a great way to make new friends and stay active. I am honored to receive this scholarship and I will be forever grateful to you. I commute 45 minutes every day because my family could not afford to live on or around campus for me. It has been a tough journey but I have made it through into my final year. Before classes started I was worried we were going to have trouble paying for both semesters this year and I was hoping to get a little bit of extra financial help, so when I learned I had been awarded the endowed scholarship, me and my family were very thankful because it will be of great help to us. I am very enthusiastic about learning and continuing my education. This award is a huge help. Thank you!
Gabriella Shank ‘22
Hometown: North Babylon, NY
Major: Health Science
“SHU is so much more than I expected. SHU did a great job of getting us involved in activities and giving us an opportunity to make friends...immediately. The academic support has been so helpful. Professors are accessible and classroom sizes are small, so you don't feel like a number. SHU makes you feel like a part of a community-academically and socially. I love Sacred Heart University and I know it has been the right choice for me. My major is Health Science with a concentration in Public Health and a minor in Speech Language Pathology. I am looking forward to volunteering in the Speech department at the local hospital. I am hoping one day I can help people talk again after a traumatic brain injury. Being a member of Kappa Alpha Theta has been fun and rewarding. Fundraising for children in the foster system is something I never imagined I would be doing in a sorority. I spent my high school years volunteering in various organizations and it felt very natural when I had the opportunity to volunteer in a local Fairfield daycare. Working with the SHU theater productions has been awesome. The theater is a wonderful way to make new connections while producing a professional show to been seen by SHU and Connecticut community members. I would like to thank Mr. Alden for this scholarship. I would thank him for giving my parents and me an opportunity to breathe a bit with helping with my tuition. I would assure him that I would continue to make him proud in the years to come.”
Past Recipients
Tristen Calas '21
Hometown: Clark, NJ
Major: Accounting
"My favorite thing about the Sacred Heart University community is the fact that everyone cares for and looks out for one another. Also, I love how I can always ask anyone for help with anything. I am an Accounting major and on the SHU Wrestling Team. My major is helping me reach my professional goals of being an accountant. I appreciate this scholarship and I am thankful for it because it is helping out my parents financially since they do sacrifice a lot in order for me to get my education. Thank you."
Alyssa Delessio '21
Hometown: South Windsor, CT
Major: Nursing
"I love how there are many resources to help me with studies and personal life. SHU is very welcoming and inclusive. My classes and professors have helped me start learning the basics of what it means to be a nurse and showed me how interesting and gratifying my career will be. I am a member of Student Nurses Association, which has helped me meet new people and given me opportunities to use nursing skills. Thank you for the opportunity to continue my education by giving me some relief of financial burden. I am thankful because my parents work really hard to allow me to go to school and it feels good that my hard work has paid off."
Nicole Masseroni '19
Hometown: Massapequa, NY
Major: Health Science
"I love being surrounded by so many people that have the same values and character as me. I love that SHU is so embedded in community service and there are a myriad of clubs to participate in. The opportunities to get involved and be part of something greater are never ending. My professional goal is to become an occupational therapist and to one day open my own practice. As a health science major, I have been able to apply and be accepted into SHU's graduate occupational therapy program. My minors in management and sociology have provided me the knowledge and skill set I will need to accomplish my goals. The best experience I have gained as a SHU student is studying abroad my sophomore year. During my sixteen weeks in Switzerland I learned so much about myself, how to communicate with others and cultural differences. As a senior, I am still taking advantage of new clubs on campus; I just joined the SHU Club Volleyball team as well as Turning Point USA. Thank you so much for the opportunity to complete and experience all I have throughout my journey at SHU. Due to your scholarship, I was able to take on extra activities and consider studying abroad. There are no words to express the difference your scholarship has had on my life and my family's life. This scholarship has alleviated some of my family's financial burden and has allowed us to spend more time together - a priceless gift."
Donate
To make a donation to the George I. Alden Trust Endowed Scholarship, make check payable to Sacred Heart University and mail to:
Sacred Heart University
University Advancement
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06825