Annual Scholarship Celebration brings together generous donors and grateful students to make meaningful connections

On Nov. 1, scholarship donors and scholarship recipients came together at UMass Chan Medical School’s Albert Sherman Center to celebrate student achievement, gratitude and the spirit of giving back. The evening marked the in-person return of this cherished annual event.

Guests mingled during the reception and dinner, interacted with a selection of high-tech learning tools on display, and enjoyed a speaking program featuring two scholarship recipients and remarks from UMass Chan leadership.

Importantly, donors had the opportunity to engage with students, and many met the recipient of their own named scholarship, thereby fostering a meaningful connection that goes far beyond the gift itself. Experiences like these are rare in the world of philanthropy and a joyful part of endowing a scholarship at UMass Chan.

Meanwhile, students appreciated the unique opportunity to network with donors, many of whom are UMass Chan alumni, and express thanks for support that’s helping to make their education possible.

“Your support is a vital force behind all the work that we do here, and our particular mission as the public medical school for the commonwealth. We rely on not just your donations but also your dedication, your spirit of collaboration with us to see the opportunities open up for our students,” said Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. 

Student speaker Brian Brisebois, Class of 2024, shared that he decided to pursue medicine as an older student after witnessing the aftermath and response to Hurricane Katrina. Three months into his first year as a medical student, a fire in his condo building destroyed everything belonging to him and his pregnant wife and son. He expressed deep thanks to the UMass Chan community for helping his family through this difficult experience, as well as gratitude to donors, including Stephen Barr, MD'91, and Timothy Naimi, MD'90, MPH, who endowed a scholarship that Brian receives. 

“I want to thank everyone for coming together tonight to celebrate our scholarship program and give thanks to our donors, whose support has helped make so many dreams come true. … Your ongoing generosity is a vital part of what makes the UMass Chan community so amazing, supportive and caring,” said Brian. 

As a Westwood High School and UMass Amherst graduate, and now UMass Chan student, speaker Sarah Danforth, Class of 2024, emphasized her deep belief in the commonwealth’s public education system and the importance of investing in our communities, including scholarships that help make education more affordable for all.  

“The financial burden of medical education falls heaviest on historically marginalized groups, or students who are the first in their family to attend college or receive a graduate degree. That is why scholarships, like the one I received from the family of Ruth and Saul Seder, are so transformative. Financial contributions to the UMass Chan community allow students who would otherwise be overwhelmed by the cost of their education—forced to take their focus off their studies, or suspend them all together—to engage fully in their studies and in their community,” said Sarah. 

The evening underscored the deep sense of fulfillment that goes along with being a scholarship donor, particularly as an opportunity to make a tangible, direct impact on individual students. Donors urged those who are considering an endowed scholarship to make the gift.

“Make the commitment. Make a difference in a particular student’s life and establish a relationship with that person that will probably be lifelong,” said Peter LaCamera, MD'97, who established a scholarship with his family in honor of his 25th reunion.

“What I really like is that it’s not just a pool of money. You know it’s going to an individual and will make a significant impact on that individual’s life,” said donor Donna Grogan, MD, R'87, P'18.

Interested in establishing a scholarship?

Individuals who are interested in establishing an endowed scholarship, which requires a minimum investment of $25,000 over five years, can contact Kim Canty, assistant vice chancellor for advancement, at 508-723-4243 or Kim.Canty@umassmed.edu for more information, or visit the Scholarships page.