St. Joseph’s College receives $1M reward for scholar scholarships

Take heed to this text

St. Joseph’s College, New York (SJNY), which has campuses in Patchogue and Brooklyn, has acquired a $1 million reward from alumnus Stephen Somers, class of 1982. The reward can be used to determine endowed scholar scholarships for the nursing applications on each the Lengthy Island and Brooklyn campuses, and the Brooklyn Campus ACES program.

With this reward, the college’s Somers Endowed Nursing Scholarship gives $500,000 for undergraduate scholar scholarships for high-need, high-achieving higher stage nursing college students throughout their junior and senior years.

As well as, the Somers ACES Endowed Scholarship gives $500,000 for scholar scholarships that may profit college students enrolled within the Brooklyn campus’ ACES program, an intensive studying and writing studying neighborhood for high-achieving immigrant college students for whom English is a brand new language.

“I hope the scholars who obtain these scholarships notice the reward they’ve been given and attain again to assist the college with no matter assist they may give,” Somers stated in a information launch concerning the reward.

“That could be their time, expertise, mentorship or monetary presents,” he added. “If in case you have the great fortune to dwell your desires like I’ve, then in flip, it is advisable pay it ahead so others can do the identical.”

These are the fourth and fifth scholarships that Somers’ donations have established for the college. As endowed scholarships, they are going to be awarded for generations, benefitting college students.

“This glorious reward from Steve may have a profound influence on our college students, lots of whom rely on further monetary assist to attend St. Joseph’s,” Donald Boomgaarden, SJNY president, stated within the information launch. “His continued generosity to his alma mater, and his love for our college students, is exceptional. We’re very grateful to him for all that he does for St. Joseph’s College, New York.”

Somers graduated from SJNY’s Brooklyn campus in 1982 with a B.S. in chemistry and started his profession within the taste and perfume trade. He went on to earn a grasp’s diploma in analytical chemistry from St. John’s College and bought Vigon Worldwide in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

Beneath Somers’ management, the corporate was  acknowledged by East Stroudsburg College as fast-growing agency, going from a $5 million agency in 1998 to a $100 million agency in 2018. He offered the corporate in 2021 however stays concerned, serving as head of know-how. In residing out a lifelong dream and his love of baseball, he not too long ago turned an possession associate with the Fenway Sports activities Group, homeowners of the Boston Purple Sox.

“This reward is a testomony to Steve’s perception and dedication to a St. Joseph’s training,” Rory Shaffer-Walsh, SJNY’s vp for institutional development, stated within the information launch. “Due to his generosity, the college will be capable of present impactful alternatives to college students, and we’re ceaselessly grateful.”

Somers resides in Hackettstown, New Jersey, together with his spouse, Sharon, who additionally attended SJNY and graduated in 1982.