Rutgers Foundation recognizes Alfredo Santiago Scholarship students

June 16, 2011

A special luncheon held by the Rutgers University Foundation recognized the continued impact and contribution of the Alfredo Santiago Endowed Scholarship to the success of Rutgers.  Over 50 scholarship recipients, staff, donors, and other LEAP Academy alumni at Rutgers–Camden were treated to a catered lunch and had the chance to reflect on 12 years of improving college access for Camden City students. 

Carol Herring, President of the Rutgers University Foundation, welcomed students and expressed her admiration for the impact of the Alfredo Santiago Scholarship.  The scholarship was created in 1999 by the CSUCL’s Dr. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, whom Herring lauded as “a tour de force” in Camden and at Rutgers. 

Chancellor Wendell Pritchett also greeted students and guests and announced that this Fall, Rutgers–Camden would welcome its largest ever incoming class from Camden City, including 10 graduating seniors from LEAP Academy.  The record setting freshman class was due in no small part to the efforts of Dr. Santiago, LEAP, and the Alfredo Santiago Scholarship, the Chancellor said. 

Throughout lunch, scholarship recipients and other LEAP alumni at Rutgers took the microphone and introduced themselves and explained their academic and personal interests.  Students also thanked Dr. Santiago, the foundation, and donors for the opportunity to study at Rutgers. 

Concluding the event, Dr. Santiago took the occasion to announce the newest scholarship recipients who will be graduating from LEAP Academy on June 29th and attending Rutgers University in the Fall:

Amarillis Casiano
Shantel Diggs
Ava Feliciano
Keyandria Jenkins
Johanna Jerez-Garcia
Dugleidys Lopez
Lucero Medina
Abigael Ortolaza
Felisha Robinson
Shaquille Sanchez
(all students will be attending the College of Arts & Sciences at Rutgers University–Camden)