MAJOR DONORS

$5,000 to $19,999

INDIVIDUALS

Suzanne & Charles Adrion

The Family of Mary Porcari Brady

Julie Camardo

R. Carlos Carballada

Flor & Bobby Colón

Olivia & David A. ’73 Cornell

Sergio Esteban

Mr. & Mrs. Emerson U. Fullwood

Mary Lou Galasso

James C.* & Judith W. Gibbons

Ken & Pamela Hines

Dr. Joseph A. Johnson & Dr. Elizabeth Supra

Scott Kogler

Maureen Lally & Wayne Smith

Dr. Barbara Lovenheim

Michael P. Mandina ’75

Anthony J. Marino ’75

Kelly Olczak

Douglas E. Parker ’92

Bob & Chris Latella

Anthony J. Marino ʼ75

Milan & Amy Nanavati

Douglas E. Parker ʼ92

Stephen Pasquarella ʼ83

Lisa & Richard Paulis

Vicky & Jim Porcari

Abigail & Josh Reinhard

Gary ’76 & Catherine Squires

Jonathan M. Sydor ’13

Matthew J. Sydor

Susan & Bob Touhsaent

Lori Van Dusen

Ian J. Wilson, M.D.

Laurie & Jim Zaucha

Anonymous (2)

CORPORATIONS/FOUNDATIONS

Cornell/Weinstein Family Foundation

Davie Kaplan, CPA, P.C.

Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, LLC

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

LaBella Associates

LVW Advisors

Manning Squires Hennig Co.

Paychex Community Foundation, Inc.

Paychex, Inc.

Rochester Area Community Foundation

Rochester Automobile Dealers Association

Rose & Kiernan Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Sage Rutty & Company, Inc

Soltys Family Charitable Foundation

Zweigle’s, Inc.

*Indicates donor is deceased

PATHWAYS TO MCC PROGRAM ENABLES STUDENTS TO ATTAIN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMAS

In 2021, Monroe Community College partnered with ESL Charitable Foundation to introduce the Pathways to MCC program. Pathways, a gateway-to-college model, attracts students who did not earn a high school diploma. It provides 100 students per year with scholarships to earn 24 MCC credits, application for their New York State high school equivalency diploma and a pathway to a high-demand living wage. Students in this program receive free tuition, fees, books and supplies, as well as wrap-around support. 

Students like Zevez Zalay benefit greatly from this program. Zevez experienced numerous challenges that made earning a high school diploma seem unachievable. They desired to break their family’s cycle of not completing high school. After learning about Pathways to MCC, Zevez knew it was the right path, and they’ve found great success.

Zevez graduated high school and hopes to continue on their path to earning a college degree in business administration. ESL Charitable Foundation’s gift to support Pathways to MCC helps students like Zevez realize their unlimited potential.

“Every student in our community, no matter their age or background, should have pathways available to an affordable, high-quality education that sets them up for career success. ESL supports MCC and the MCC Foundation because the positive impact they have on our community is immense and far-reaching. Students, their families, their neighbors, our local employers and our larger community are all stronger because of the opportunities created through a high-quality education at MCC.”
—Maureen R. Wolfe, executive vice president, Human Resources & Community Impact, ESL Federal Credit Union and MCC Foundation board chair

SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF SARAH JONES

David and Lynnette Jones—along with a loyal group of family, friends and colleagues at DS+CO—established a scholarship in February 2024 to honor the memory of their daughter Sarah. The Sarah Jones Memorial Endowed Scholarship will support Monroe Community College students who demonstrate academic achievement, volunteer in their community, and embrace Sarah’s enthusiasm for lifelong learning and living every day to the fullest. 

Sarah left those she loved way too soon. She is lovingly described by her family as witty, charming and larger than life. Intelligent, generous, a consummate professional. Champion of the underdog, student of improv and lover of animals, especially manatees. A caring daughter, sister and colleague. This scholarship honors her legacy by supporting students who embody Sarah’s spirit, share her thirst for knowledge and who need an extra boost toward crossing the finish line to their MCC degree.

“Sarah Jones was an extraordinary person and valued member of our team. Her passion, kindness and unwavering positive spirit left a lasting impact on our company and everyone who knew her. It is fitting that the Sarah Jones Memorial Endowed Scholarship will carry forward Sarah’s name, supporting MCC students’ unlimited potential and their pursuit of knowledge, achievement and the best possible future.”
—Lauren Dixon, board chair, DS+CO, and Foundation director

ALUM’S ENDURING IMPACT LIVES THROUGH SCHOLARSHIP

Monroe Community College Professor V. Sumati Devadutt made a profound impact on the life of Rafe (Reggie) R. Ellison ’97 when he was a student at MCC. Never forgetting the time and effort Professor Devadutt spent mentoring and cultivating his potential and ultimate academic success, Reggie was compelled to establish the Professor V. Sumati Devadutt Award for Academic Excellence Endowed Scholarship in November 2020.

The scholarship is awarded annually to two students with financial need who graduated from Rochester city schools and have demonstrated their academic potential. Students like Shamir Tucker, who was raised in Rochester’s inner city and whose family was not financially stable or educationally advantaged. 

“I want a fulfilling, high-paying career so that I may live comfortably and have the means to experience things I could only imagine before I enrolled in MCC. To want to beat the odds and follow in my older brother’s footsteps by being the second person in my family to earn a college degree,” Shamir said. “This scholarship will give me the financial assistance I need to continue on my academic journey with less worry about debt and paying tuition. It means I will not have to take a semester off again to amass money to pay off the prior semester’s tuition bill before I register for more classes.”

The Professor V. Sumati Devadutt Award for Academic Excellence Endowed Scholarship supports students like Shamir and others who have or will benefit from Professor Devadutt’s dedication and exemplifies the tremendous influence engaged professors can have on students’ lives, especially those with nontraditional paths to higher education.

Sadly, Reggie passed away in August. He was a wonderful person and a generous donor. He will be sorely missed.