KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� March 4, 2024 — Five students are benefiting from a unique new scholarship focused on engineering students from Rhode Island. The Jonathan K. Farnum Scholarship goes to applicants from the Blackstone Valley, which includes Central Falls, Pawtucket, Cumberland, and Lincoln.
In addition to financial assistance for tuition, housing, meals, and/or fees, the local engineering majors will have access to career education specialists, online resources, industry-specific career fairs, networking, and professional development workshops. The goal is to not only offset costs but to help students launch their careers.
鈥淲e deeply appreciate the generosity of the Simon W. Wardwell Foundation in supporting educational access for students with financial need,鈥� said Anthony Marchese, dean of the College of Engineering. 鈥淎s a public university, 溏心vlog免费B站 strives to ensure access to high-quality education to all citizens with the will and desire to succeed. Over 25 percent of our students are the first in their family to go to college, and scholarships such as these can and will change people’s lives.鈥�
The scholarship for 2023鈥�24 was awarded to Victoria DeLaCruz (Pawtucket), Angelo Otero (Central Falls), Kevin Pereira (Pawtucket), Naishawn Quezada (Pawtucket), and one other student.
鈥淚 am tremendously grateful for receiving the Farnum Scholarship,鈥� DeLaCruz said. 鈥淚t lifted the weight from my parents鈥� and my shoulders and allowed me to focus on my education without constantly worrying about the financial burden.鈥�
The scholarship bears the name of the first president of The Simon W. Wardwell Foundation. The foundation supports organizations and activities involved with studying, planning, designing, developing, and improving the operations of Rhode Island nonprofits, including educational institutions. It is named for industrialist and inventor Simon W. Wardwell who founded the Wardwell Braiding Machine Company in Central Falls in 1911, which is still in operation today.