News Release

Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation Honors Wilmington University President

Students and Alumni Also Honored at Annual Luncheon

Wilmington University president, Dr. Jack Varsalona, was among the honorees at last Friday’s Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation’s 15^th Anniversary Luncheon held at the DuPont Country Club. At the luncheon, Dr. Varsalona accepted the Muriel E.Gilman Champion Award, an award presented to someone who has helped Fresh Start succeed. The Scholarship Foundation, a charitable arm of Wilmington Women in Business, has provided scholarships to over 100 women within the tri-state area over the past 15 years. Fresh Start Foundation also provides each woman with a mentor within Wilmington Women in Business, who helps each scholarship recipient on her educational journey.

 

Five years ago, Latoya Rodriguez had no idea that she was about to be one of those scholarship recipients. She was struggling to make ends meet. She applied to as many scholarships as she could and, she remembers distinctly, the last scholarship she applied for before going to bed: it was the Fresh Start Scholarship. “We had lost our home, and I was on the verge of giving up,” admits Rodriguez. Before she knew it, she had heard back from the Foundation, letting her know she had been granted a scholarship. Rodriguez used the scholarship to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management at Wilmington University. Later, she returned to the University to earn her MBA on her own accord. “Thanks to the Fresh Start Scholarship, in combination with Wilmington University, my family, and my mentor Barbara Buckley, I have accomplished all my goals,” she says. Rodriguez now works as the Sports, Fitness and Recreation Director at the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware.

 

Rodriguez was one of several Fresh Start Scholarship recipients highlighted at the 15^th Anniversary Luncheon. After highlighting Rodriguez's success, the Foundation presented the Achievement Award to Brenné Shepperson, a current student in Wilmington University’s Doctor of Business Administration program and Adult Basic Education Instructor at Christiana School District. The Achievement Award is presented to a Fresh Start graduate who has demonstrated significant achievement since her graduation. Shepperson, who has overcome a troubled childhood, an abusive marriage and other obstacles, said, “my tragedies have made me into the person I am today...you can overcome anything if you put your mind to it.” Shepperson says her dream career is to be a college professor, but in the meantime she is focusing on completing her doctoral degree. “My mantra every morning is, ‘I am the emerging Dr. Shepperson,’” she admits.

 

Next, the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation honored Wilmington University President, Dr. Jack Varsalona with the Muriel E. Gilman Champion Award. Kristen Shaw, Vice President of the Fresh Start Board of Directors, presented the award saying, “I think it is so fitting that I should be presenting this award to Dr. Varsalona because of what a positive impact he has had on education in Delaware over the past ten years.” Dr. Varsalona said he accepted the award on behalf of the Fresh Start Scholarship students attending Wilmington University, along with all the University students and graduates. “What is so admirable about the Women in Business is that you are totally volunteers,” he said, “Ninety-seven cents for every dollar raised goes directly to the people that need it the most: the scholarship recipients.” He commended the organization for 15 years of service to the community. “We have had 16 Fresh Start Scholarship students at Wilmington University, 14 of whom have already graduated. I always know what kind of students you will send us, and they are hard working, great students,” he said.

 

Lastly, the Inspiration Award was presented to Genevieve Burke Marino, Chief Executive Officer at the YWCA Delaware. Marino, who received her Master of Business Administration from Wilmington University, received the award because of her great efforts to use her education to transform the lives of other women. She commended Wilmington University while receiving her award, “I think that Wilmington University is woefully under recognized for the great things it does here in Delaware,” she said, “I stand here today because of them.” Marino especially thanked her family for all their support while she was furthering her career. She says her mantra is, “Tomorrow I can be a better person than the one I am today.”

 

The luncheon ended with a special dedication to Mary E. Maloney, president of the board of the Fresh Start Scholarship and the woman who conceived, spearheaded and has lead the Foundation since its inception.  For 15 years Maloney has worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of women. The Foundation presented Maloney with a special gift to thank her for her efforts. Humbly, Maloney remarked, “It is never about just one person. It takes a village,” she said, “And this is a wonderful village to live in.”

 

 

 

To learn more about the Fresh Start Scholarship visit www.wwb.org.

 

                                                                                                                                   

Published: Sunday, October 16, 2011 - New Castle, DE