MCC Foundation Awards Student Scholarships in In-Person Ceremony

One of the barriers students face in getting a college degree is not being able to afford the costs of higher education. To help ease this burden, the Middlesex Community College Foundation raises funds for scholarships from generous donors. The MCC Foundation and Office of Advancement hosted a Spring 2022 Scholarship Ceremony on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

“The MCC Foundation Scholarship ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the success of our students and to honor and recognize the donors who make such an incredible difference in the lives of our students,” said Amy Lee, MCC’s Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations. “It is so important to the college to make getting an education more accessible, and the generosity of our donors helps students pursue their dreams without added financial stress.”

The special event was held on the college’s Bedford campus. A total of $31,750 was given out to 14 student scholars, ranging from $500 to $3,750. Scholarships were funded by a variety of sources, including memorial donations, local businesses, private foundations and private donors.

From Colombia and now living in Lawrence, MCC Mechanical Engineering student Thomas Rua was the student speaker of the event. He was one of two recipients of the Mashu and Abu Alam Scholarship, which supports a Black/African American or Latinx/Hispanic student as they pursue a degree in Health or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

“I feel tremendously inspired by the generosity of this family that has decided to assist hardworking students like me to thrive in college,” Rua said. “This scholarship and the ones that I’ve previously received have served as a cushion for me to keep supporting my immigrant family and still be able to focus on my studies intensely. MCC has played an immeasurable role in my development as a successful student, providing life-changing opportunities for me.”

Nursing student Laura Ferguson, of Arlington, received the Marie Ryder Beacon of Hope Scholarship. A faculty member at MCC for over 40 years, Marie Ryder was on hand to present the award to Ferguson, which was created by MCC’s Nursing department in honor of her service.

“It felt amazing, I did not expect to receive the award,” Ferguson said. “It provides funds I do not have toward my classes, which takes away stress that can be overwhelming at times.”

Dr. Alva Stair established the Verena Stair Memorial Scholarship to support non-traditional female students returning to school to seek academic fulfillment. Although he was unable to attend the ceremony in-person, he wanted to express his reasons for being a donor of an MCC Foundation scholarship.

“[The scholarship] brings wonderful memories of Verena and pleasure for the opportunity to keep her wishes alive to help young women,” Dr. Stair said. “She was only 46 when Lupus ended her buoyant life. My deep appreciation also goes to Carol Zachor, one of her closest friends, who was so instrumental in the creation of the MCC scholarship and held raffles to get it funded. It was a new concept at the time.”

The 2022 Spring scholarship recipients include:

Steve Brown – Judith Tarutz Technical Writing Certificate Scholarship

Laura Ferguson – Marie Ryder Beacon of Hope Scholarship

Danisha Ramirez – Mashu and Alam Scholarship

Thomas Rua – Mashu and Alam Scholarship

Helena Barley – Muriel G. Hervey Memorial Scholarship

Catherine Kane – Muriel G. Hervey Memorial Scholarship

Brooke Stevenson – Muriel G. Hervey Memorial Scholarship

Hisen Teker – Muriel G. Hervey Memorial Scholarship

Leinad Feliz – Prudence Drake Health Programs Scholarship

Yusmeiry Gonzalez – Prudence Drake Health Programs Scholarship

Catherine Houle – Prudence Drake Health Programs Scholarship

Amira Moawad – Prudence Drake Health Programs Scholarship

Billy You – Prudence Drake Health Programs Scholarship

Mital Sanariya – Verena Stair Memorial Scholarship