The Distinguished Springfield Professors of Humanics, both past and present, once again came together with currently faculty and staff to raise funds that directly benefit deserving Springfield College students as part of the annual “A Taste of Humanics” fundraiser, hosted on Thursday, March 10, inside the Stitzer Welcome Center at Judd Gymnasia.
The goal of the Friends in Humanics Scholarship is to assist students who demonstrate financial need, academic scholarship, leadership on campus, and concern for community. The support attached to this scholarship allows students to ultimately graduate from the College, and carry on our Humanics philosophy into the world.
“This scholarship continues to allow me the opportunities to be the best possible version of myself,” said 2021 Friends in Humanics Scholarship recipient Cameron Borges, Class of 2023, who is a student-athlete on campus, while also serving as a member of the Student Government Association. “I want to thank all of the past and present Distinguished Springfield Professors of Humanics for their support, which allows students on campus to have the support they need to continue on with their academic dreams.”
The Friends in Humanics Scholarship is completely funded by Springfield College faculty and staff, and proceeds raised during the “A Taste of Humanics” fundraiser are matched by Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper.
“This scholarship is all about helping Springfield College students, they are the constant on our campus,” said Springfield College Emeritus Professor Peter Polito, who initiated the Friends in Humanics Scholarship while serving as the 1998-99 Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics. “This scholarship is about the employees of Springfield College making sure we take care of our students and assist them in being able to achieve their academic goals and professional dreams.”
Since 1999, employees of Springfield College have had the opportunity to support this scholarship, with more than 120 students receiving awards. Since fall 2011, present and past Distinguished Springfield Professors of Humanics have helped Professor Polito sponsor fundraisers, through which current and retired faculty and staff have contributed. Annual distributions from the Peter and Claire Polito Friends in Humanics Scholarship Endowed Fund are added to this scholarship. Each spring, the Office of Financial Aid and a committee comprised of Distinguished Professors, faculty, and staff, solicit nominations from the campus community and select deserving students for this prestigious award. The recipients are announced at the annual Humanics Lecture in April.
