Julia Sugrue Gorman Memorial Scholarship

The Julia Sugrue Gorman Memorial Scholarship was established in 2002 through the generosity of alumna Kathleen Gorman Crapanzano '68 and her sister, University Regent, Maureen Gorman '68 in honor of their mother. This scholarship assists students with a solid academic record who demonstrate community service and/or student-life involvement.

Student Recipients

Jacquelynn Balacki '20

Hometown: Centerport, NY
Major: Accounting

"SHU has been my home away from home for the past four years. My favorite part of the University is my peers and the connections I have made throughout my journey. Without this huge support system, I know my college experience would not have been as exciting and enjoyable. I love knowing I will always have someone to go to or talk with about career paths or personal topics.

My goal is to eventually become successful in the accounting profession. My major has been making a huge impact in my learning and understanding of the topic. I believe it has been preparing me for my future after the University. Having classes with the same familiar faces makes me a lot more comfortable in my career choices and gives me a huge pool of peers to always stay in contact with.

I most enjoy my position as a member of the University's Dance Team as well as holding a position on the executive board in the professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. These roles have helped me grow as an individual as well as given me new teamwork and social skills.

Thank you so much for granting me this unbelievable scholarship. I will forever be grateful for you for believing in a student you do not know. I will always stay determined to succeed throughout my schooling to prove that I deserve this amazing gift. Thank you again!"

Erica Cardinuto '20

Hometown: Gansevoort, NY
Major: Nursing 4 Year

"The thing I love most about SHU and being a member of the SHU community is the endless opportunities provided to all students, both academically and socially. At SHU, the faculty, staff and students truly work together to reach success. Through them I have been provided with the opportunities to learn as a student, grow as a leader and work as a professional in multiple settings to determine where I desire to continue my career.

Socially, there is an extracurricular opportunity for every student to become involved. As a freshman, I did not know what I was interested in immersing myself in. Four years later, I have found my passions in campus tours, mentorship and choir. SHU has provided me with the opportunity to evolve into my best self and make the most of my undergraduate experience.

My professional goal is to become a licensed registered nurse in an emergency department. A long-term goal of mine is to move to Boston, MA, and pursue a nursing career in the medical hub of the Northeast. As a student in the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing, I am privileged to be learning from professors with unbelievable experience and an array of knowledge who are working towards or already have their doctoral degrees. I have been placed at a variety of clinical sites throughout my education so I can experience different environments, specialties and healthcare settings. Most recently, I received placement for my capstone experience in an emergency department, which will provide me with the exposure and knowledge to pursue my dream job!

Outside of the classroom, I most enjoy my experience as a Student Ambassador, Classroom Learning Assistant (CLA) and peer mentor.  As a Student Ambassador, I provide information and campus tours to prospective students interested in the University and share my love for SHU. It is such a humbling feeling when students share that I helped them solidify their college decision or they are at SHU because of me. In addition, I have loved my role as a CLA and peer mentor over the past four years. I have always been an individual dedicated to academics and assisting others to reach their fullest potential. Through tutoring students or guiding freshmen through their first year, I have been able to blend both of these interests.

Thank you so much for your generosity and beautiful heart. It is because of people like yourself that students can continue to pursue their dreams. My dream is graduating from SHU to become a registered nurse dedicated to providing care and hope to those during a time of need. Your scholarship will assist me in fulfilling this dream. Thank you for the opportunity to complete my undergraduate education at SHU - words cannot say enough!"

Rachel Varney '20

Hometown: Wilbraham, MA
Major: Nursing 4 Year

"What I love most about SHU is how this school is more than just a school; it is also a community and truly is my home away from home. SHU has offered me a place where I feel I belong and am a part of an amazing community of people. The opportunities here at SHU are absolutely endless. I love how everyone is truly so friendly, kind and caring, and whenever I am out and about on the SHU campus I feel I am always saying “hi” to people and talking to someone I know. I love being a member of the SHU community because I know that there is always someone there for me and supporting me through this journey.

One of my professional goals is to ultimately become a nurse, and hopefully one day a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner. The nursing program here at SHU has helped me to work towards those goals, and has provided me with the best tools, knowledge and skills to be able to make that goal a reality one day. The college of nursing here at SHU has provided me with endless opportunities, ranging from clinical and in-class experiences to study abroad possibilities!

Dance Ensemble is the experience I have enjoyed most. I truly enjoyed being a part of such a large group of people from all different majors and classes, who come together to share the same passion.

I am extremely grateful to have received this scholarship and cannot thank the donor enough. It means so much to think that I would be awarded this scholarship based on my hard-work and dedication to my education and college career. I would like to thank all the donors for helping provide us students with these opportunities and wanting to help support us and our college endeavors."

Christopher Kattak '20

Hometown: Westfield, NJ
Major: Communication Studies

Past Recipients

Deanna Aliperti '19

Hometown: Queens, NY
Major: Social Work; Psychology minor

"The thing I love most about SHU and being a member of the SHU community is the sense of family I feel here. I came from a very close knit high school and never thought I'd get that same feeling once I got to college, but SHU has exceeded my expectations. SHU has truly become my home away from home over these past four years. This school provides the most friendly, welcoming and accepting environments and I have never felt more comfortable being myself. In times of hardship, we come together to support each other, and in good times we celebrate each other.

My professional goal is to become a social worker in an inpatient psychiatric setting. My more short-term goal is to pursue my Master of Social Work at NYU this fall. The professors in the social work department are so incredibly skilled and experienced and share their expertise and guidance. The social work program has also provided me with two amazing field placements at an alternative high school and healthcare facility working with adults with chronic mental illnesses and other disabilities. My psychology minor classes has provided knowledge that is extremely supportive to the content of social work. Both my major and minor are a perfect blend of classes that support my overall professional goals!

One experience outside of the classroom that I most enjoy is my job at the Senior Resident Success Assistant of Roncalli Hall. I am able to help freshmen residents with their transition to college and learning the ropes. I love being able to make the residents feel at home in our building. It is a job where I constantly have the opportunity to give back, and I love that more than anything! Another experience I love is being a Student Ambassador. I've had this job for the past three years and nothing brings me more joy than giving a prospective student tour and making them love this school as much as I do and making their college decision much easier. A third experience I love is volunteering at Adult Vacation, which is a camp for adults who have a wide range of special needs. Over the course of the week, we provide a fun, loving, and safe environment.

I can't thank you enough for this scholarship. I am forever thankful that someone who doesn't even know me has the heart to help me. You must truly be selfless, and I admire that so much. Your scholarship has helped give me the opportunity to spend my four years at SHU and I am so grateful because I couldn't imagine my college experience happening anywhere else. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

Adrian Parzych '19

Hometown: Carmel, NY
Major: Exercise Science

"My favorite thing about Sacred Heart is the large amount of great professors. I am also part of two clubs, club weightlifting and jiu jitsu. My professional goals are to be a physical therapy business owner. So far I have benefited with knowledge from my classes and professionalism. Both of these qualities are needed for my future goals. Thank you for your scholarship. I work hard and commute daily an hour to school from upstate New York because of housing expenses. Your scholarship helps me and my family with paying for college expenses. Thank you."

Donate

Contribute to the Julia Sugrue Gorman Memorial Scholarship online

To make a donation by check, make check payable to Sacred Heart University and mail to:

Sacred Heart University
University Advancement
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06825