On March 30, 2016, the Goodwin College Advancement team welcomed 200 guests to the Society Room in downtown Hartford to celebrate “Real Life, Real Women,” the third annual gathering created to raise support for scholarships for women at the College.
Women of all races, ages, interests, and economic backgrounds currently account for 81% of Goodwin’s student population. Many hold down one or more jobs as they also work on completing their degrees. Some are raising families and know that an education is the only path to a better life for themselves and their children. They are real women dealing with real life — and facing real challenges.
Guests at the event enjoyed the dazzling selection of chocolate-inspired fare, desserts, and wines and listened to vocal selections from the all-female group the Sugartones. Students, faculty, staff, and supporters alike shared their thoughts on how Goodwin College is providing them with opportunities to realize their long-held dreams.
Leone Alexander, who is pursuing her Histology Degree at the College said, “I am honored to be the very first recipient of The David Fund Scholarship, established by Goodwin’s provost, Ann Clark. I know what it means to be strong in the face of adversity, to not let anything stand in the way of my education, to give my last ounce of effort to my goal without complaining.”
Human Services associate professor and faculty representative for the Board of Trustees Dr. Sherrilyn Bernier offered, “The journey is sometimes difficult for our students, but I assure them that they can do it, that nothing is impossible.
More than $24,000 for student scholarships was raised at the “Real Life, Real Women” event.
Special thanks to the generous organizations and individuals who made the evening a success: (Presenting Sponsor) Novartis Pharmaceuticals; (Pairings Level Sponsors) Adams Family Foundation, Andrews Benefits, Community Renewal Team, Hoffman Auto Group, Putnam Plaza Liquors; (Student Level Sponsors) Brescia’s Printing Services, trustee and Foundation Board member Michele Bush, alumna and Foundation Board member Lee Housely ’15, and trustee Jackie Jacoby. The event committee included Jackie Jacoby and Sara Johnson Davis (co-chairs), Louise Fisher, Rosemary Hathaway, Lee Housely, Megan Mehr, Brooke Penders, Jillian Puzzo, Jusy Resnick, Holly Winters, and Marici Zuvic.
To learn more about our college scholarships for women, or for ways to support Goodwin students, please visit www.goodwin.edu/giving.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.