American Savings Foundation Awards $675,000 in College Scholarships
By Editor at August 20, 2023 | 9:00 am | Print
At a time of cutbacks in state and federal financial aid, many college students and their families are not sure how they are going to cover fall tuition, let alone four years of rising college costs. The American Savings Foundation will make that easier for 396 students by awarding $675,000 in college scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year, a 10% increase over last year. Most students receive four years of scholarship support from the foundation.
At the foundation’s annual scholarship reception, held on August 9 at the Aqua Turf Club, the organization announced the naming of the Robert T. Kenney Scholarship Program at American Savings Foundation in honor of the founding chairman, who passed away earlier this year.
“Bob Kenney was passionate about helping hard-working students pay for college,” said Harry Mazadoorian, chairman of the American Savings Foundation board of directors. “The Foundation’s board has named the program in his memory, and in his honor, because college scholarships are truly Bob’s legacy at the foundation.”
Kenney grew up in Waterbury, the son of immigrants who instilled in their children the values of education and hard work. A scholar and an athlete, Kenney returned to his home town after college to raise a family and start his career. He became a leader in the banking industry in Connecticut. From his own experience he understood the importance of making a college education affordable for the next generations of leaders.
In 1995, as president of American Savings Bank, Kenney led the creation of the American Savings Foundation. Kenney believed that the bank should not only serve its customers well, but also help make the entire community a better place to live and work.
“Thanks to Bob Kenney’s leadership and determination, we have grown into the largest single source scholarship program in Connecticut,” said David Davison, President and CEO of the Foundation. “This year we are awarding our largest number of scholarships ever, when families really need it the most.”
The American Savings Foundation scholarship is awarded based on financial need, academic potential and community service. Most students receive 4 years of support from the Foundation, with scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per year. Scholarships are awarded to students from the 64 Connecticut towns served by the foundation. A total of $6.6 million in scholarships has been awarded to 1,479 students over the program’s 16 years history.
American Savings Foundation is a permanent charitable endowment that also awards grants to area nonprofits. Since its inception in 1995 the foundation has contributed over $33 million in total grants and scholarships in central Connecticut.
New Britain
Syed Ali, University of Connecticut; Anna A Belza, Sweet Briar College; Monika Bojarska, Goodwin College; Christina Nithda Bouaphone, Central Connecticut State University; Shaun Boughton, Central Connecticut State University; Jolanta Bucior, Tunxis Community College; Natalia Burakowska, Rhode Island School of Design; Gonzalo Cisneros, University of New Haven,; Jeremy Colon, Manchester Community College; Celinez Coons, Trinity College; Crystal Davila, Saint Joseph; Amanda DelValle, Art Institute of Pittsburgh; Joseph Dilling, Central Connecticut State University; Thomas Dilling, University of Connecticut; Aldina Dugalic, Temple University; Kisakye Edwards, Saint Joseph College; Sapphira Ford, Southern Adventist University; Alyssa Kai Forde, Central Connecticut State University; Tyler C. Gabriel, Stevens Institute of Technology; Marcin Gomolka, Tunxis Community College; Hector J Gonzalez, Jr, Central Connecticut State University; Jasmine Lee Gonzalez, University of Hartford; Katherine Gorecki, University of Connecticut; Paulina Gorecki, University of Connecticut; Pamela Griffin, Assumption College; Aiyana Henderson, Central Connecticut State University; DaShaun Hightower, Lasell College; Hebo Ismail, University of Connecticut; Adrian Jaworski, University of Connecticut; Arthur Jones, Winston-Salem State University; Marta Karwowska, University of Connecticut; Briana Kinsey, Providence College; Marta Kolakowska, University of Connecticut; Enid Largaespada, Central Connecticut State University; Anita Lee, University of Connecticut; Eric Lee, Central Connecticut State University; Xiao Jie Li, Columbia University; Naomi Lozada, Long Island University; Karen Maisonet, Central Connecticut State University; Odette Martins, Boston University; Ariana Molokwu, University of Connecticut; Kelsey R Newberg, Russell Sage College; Heather O’Bright, Central Connecticut State University; Ewelina Olechowska, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Lynnet Opoku, Central Connecticut State University; Victor Javier Otero, LIM College; Ana Padua, Gateway Community College; Juliette Palazzolo, Sacred Heart University; Tommy Panyanouvong, University of Hartford; Windy Panyanouvong, University of Connecticut; Lerelies Perez, University of Connecticut; Amanda Post, University of Connecticut; Ramatou Sangare, Central Connecticut State University; Amanda Catherine Schneider, Southern Connecticut State University; Tashnuva Shaheen, Northeastern University; Kara Smith, Central Connecticut State University; Naomi Smith, Southern Connecticut State University; Zachary Smith-Grabko, University of New Haven; Brian Snow, Massachusetts Maritime Academy,; Christina Spray, University of Connecticut; Benjamin Suazo, Hofstra University; Dorothy Turka, Johnson & Wales University; Eric Vargas, Central Connecticut State University; Jasmyra Velez, Tunxis Community College; Darisel N. Ventura Rodriguez, University Of Connecticut; Lindsey Gardino Volz, University of Connecticut; Justyna Wawrzonek, University of Connecticut; Patrick Wilkinson, Central Connecticut State University; Veronica Wojtaszek, University of Rhode Island; Scott Zakszewski, University of Connecticut.
