Greater Worcester Community Foundation today announced the inaugural recipients of the Becker Scholarship Fund, awarding a total of $418,000 to nine students pursuing higher education in Worcester County and Boston.
The $10 million Becker Scholarship Fund at Greater Worcester Community Foundation honors the legacy of the former Becker College, prioritizing students from Worcester and Leicester, where the college maintained campuses. Additional criteria identified by former Becker College trustees include a preference for students attending college in Worcester County, students who are the first in their families to attend college and students who have demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity or hardship.
This year’s recipients are:
Gloria Adumatta - $60,000 over four years
A Worcester resident and graduate of Burncoat High School, Gloria will study biotechnology at Worcester State University. She will also receive $1,400 from the Foundation’s Marty Hastings Memorial Scholarship.
Natalia Kallio - $20,000 over four years
A Leicester resident and graduate of Leicester High School, Natalia will study pharmaceutical sciences at Northeastern University.
Michal Sobolewski - $104,000 over four years
A Worcester resident and graduate of St. Paul Diocesan High School, Michal will study mechanical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Aedan Gonzalez - $68,000 over four years
A Worcester resident and graduate of South High Community School, Aedan will study health science at Assumption University.
“This scholarship is a lifeline. My journey to college has been shaped by the unwavering support of my mother, who raised me alone while working full time. She taught me that education is the most powerful tool for breaking cycles of hardship, and her sacrifices have inspired me to strive for excellence.”
- Aedan Gonzalez, Becker Scholarship Awardee
Juan Gonzalez Mora – $42,000 over four years
A Worcester resident and graduate of South High Community School, Juan will study civil engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Ana Ferreira Andrade - $38,000 over four years
A Worcester resident and graduate of North High School, Ana will study nursing at Worcester State University.
Crislary Martinez - $80,000 over four years
A Leicester resident and graduate of Leicester High School, Crislary will study nursing at Emmanuel College.
Victor Martinez - $2,000 over two years
A Worcester resident, Victor is a junior at Worcester State University studying nursing.
Diana Le - $4,000 over four years
A Worcester resident and graduate of Doherty Memorial High School, Diana plans to study biomedical science at the College of the Holy Cross.
The range of awards reflects each student’s financial need and is designed to help close the gap after financial aid from other sources. Scholarships may be used for tuition, room and board, books and other costs associated with college attendance. The size of the Becker Scholarship Fund enabled the Foundation to make some of the largest awards in its history.
“These inaugural scholarships represent a meaningful investment in local students and in the future of our community. Through the Becker Scholarship Fund, we are proud to help students pursue their educational goals while honoring an important part of Worcester’s higher education history.”
- Pete Dunn, President & CEO, Greater Worcester Community Foundation
For more information about the Becker Scholarship Fund, visit: https://greaterworcester.org/scholarships/becker-scholarship-fund
