On May 8, 2024, at the SUNY Broome Ice Center, students wearing sticker name badges and holding programs listing over 350 scholarship recipients awaited their turn to meet — and be photographed with — the donors who helped them afford their college education. As students and donors finished shaking hands, the college president, staff, and faculty finalized preparations for the 2024 Student Awards Recognition Reception, set to unfold before an audience of over 500 people.
Continuing, graduating, and transferring students receive certificates and congratulations at the scholarship ceremony. Incoming students are recognized at their high school ceremonies. These scholarships award a range of amounts from $200 to the multi-year full-tuition coverage of the Presidential Honors Scholarship, with the average scholarship worth $500. The Foundation awarded over $1,600,000 in student support in 2023 and is on track to exceed that amount this year.
View the complete scholarship list.
“There’s around 30 Calice scholarships now so that large legacy gift from Emil Calice remains transformational,” Amy Englehart, the SUNY Broome Foundation staff member who coordinates the scholarship application process and the recognition reception, admitted as she stood behind the name badge table. “And,” she remarked, “we are very fortunate that brand-new scholarships are established every year.”
Donors began five new scholarships in 2024.
Otego Family Dental Scholarship recipient, Tara Sears, and Director of Student Activities Dr. Nicholas Kocieniewski.
The Otego Family Dental Scholarship, created for a full-time continuing dental hygiene student pursuing higher education later in life, was awarded for the first time. The recipient, Tara Sears, told her donors, “I am the oldest person in my program but my fellow students have embraced me and I enjoy being able to provide some insight from my variety of life experience. As a former restaurateur, I love cooking for people and providing a great dining experience, but I’m looking forward to starting a new career that is centered around helping people improve their health. Thank you again for helping make that possible for me!”
Student, Nathaniel Allen, and scholarship donor Wayne C. Mitteer RN, MS.
Wayne C. Mitteer RN, MS Scholarship for the Advancement of Men in Nursing awarded two students, Nathaniel Allen and Joshua May. Wayne Mitteer (RN ’75) established the scholarship to aid continuing male nursing students.
Nathaniel told his donor his scholarship would “make this upcoming semester financially easier, and will allow me to focus on my education.” Joshua added, “The positive effect that scholarship opportunities like yours have on students like me is difficult to put into words, and saying “thank you” doesn’t seem enough.” Joshua plans to become a nurse — possibly in critical care settings — and intends to use the money he’s been awarded for required computer programs and textbooks in the nursing program.
Danielle Tavares and members of Aleen Ameen’s family.
Another new scholarship, the Aleen Ameen Memorial Award for Excellence in Nursing, began as a way to honor Aleen Ameen, who passed away in a motor vehicle accident on Jan. 16, 2024. The SUNY Broome nursing student tutored her peers in anatomy and physiology around her classwork and a part-time job on Binghamton General’s psych floor. Like many of the College’s generous donors, her family and friends rallied to bring good out of the tragedy and to keep her memory alive. The donors crafted the scholarship for a full-time continuing nursing major and set a preference for students interested in psychiatric nursing.
Danielle Tavares has the honor of being the scholarship’s first awardee. She thanked her donors and shared the inspiration behind her goal to be an intensive care unit or labor and delivery nurse. “My nephew was born at 26 weeks. During a scary and uncertain time, it was the incredible nurses who took care of him and gave my family much-needed support and compassion. He is a happy and healthy 2-year-old now, and…I can only hope to make such a difference in the world [as the nursing staff did], and that is what I am striving to achieve every day.”
Diann Benowski DiFrancesco (LA ‘85)’s family and Brooke Reynolds, scholarship recipient.
Dr. Hawkins, Brooke Reynolds, and Colleen Cashman (BA ’85).
The Diann Benowski DiFrancesco Sunshine Scholarship was also created in honor of a loved one. Diann Benowski DiFrancesco (LA ‘85) was a passionate athlete who played volleyball and basketball at SUNY Broome and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Nursing Home Administration. The creators of the scholarship added the word “sunshine” to the title to remember how Diann always looked on the bright side of things, even on dark days, and how she lovingly cared for others. This scholarship is for health studies, nursing, human services, or sport studies majors, with a preference for first-generation students with plans to earn a bachelor’s degree. The first recipients are Chantell Cornett and Brooke Reynolds.
As a single mom, Chantell works full-time and attends college, and tries to set a good example for her three children. “Thank you so much for selecting me for this award,” she said to her donors, adding, “I work hard every day to show my children, and those who are coming up behind me, the importance of doing whatever it takes to succeed.” Brooke, who has been working in the Air National Guard as a dental assistant, graduated from the nursing program this May. She plans to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing. She notes, “I am thankful for this award! I will be putting the money towards furthering my education.”
Sydney Velez Mattiace and Dr. Hawkins.
The daughters of Reeta Hayes established the Reeta Hayes Memorial Scholarship to honor their mother. They recall her lifelong passion for tennis and tenure as women’s tennis coach. The scholarship awardee may be in any major. Sydney Velez Mattiace earned the scholarship this year.
As Sydney prepares to transfer to Binghamton University, she says “the aid I am getting through scholarships is a huge comfort. [My donors] have given me an opportunity to further my education at a lesser cost and I am extremely appreciative.” She plans to become a mechanical engineering major at BU and “dreams of working in the clean energy field in an effort to help our planet.”
The 2024 Scholarship website has more student stories and the entire list of recognized students. The College is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our Hornets.
If you are interested in establishing a scholarship, contact the SUNY Broome Foundation. If you are a student looking for scholarship information, visit the scholarship website.
