Third Annual Scholarship Luncheon at ESU Brings Student Scholarship Winners and Donors Together

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East Stroudsburg, PA – The third annual East Stroudsburg University Scholarship Luncheon was held at the Keystone Room on campus Sunday, March 27.  The yearly event provides an opportunity for ESU student scholarship recipients to meet their scholarship donors.  This year the program captured the ESU Foundation’s Annual Fund theme of Imagine – Inspire – Impact.

The event was attended by more than 150 people including students, donors, parents, faculty and Foundation and university staff. The program included remarks by university president, Dr. Robert J. Dillman, and scholarship donor Mr. William Cramer, followed by performances by ESU students Shannon Christmann (Theater), Paula Dixon (Music) and Karen Guilliams (Theater) who sang musical selections from their upcoming production of “Blithe Spirit” by Noel Coward. The students were under the direction of Theater Professors, Stephanie Daventry French, Dr. Margaret J. Ball, with piano accompaniment by Faculty Emeritus, Mr. Charles Cole.

Keynote speaker William Cramer, Esq., a founding board member of the ESU Foundation and the current president of the Cramer, Swetz & McManus law firm of Stroudsburg, told the audience how he and his wife Barbara are motivated by their desire to give others the opportunity to realize a quality education.  Mr. and Mrs. Cramer established the Cramer Family Men’s Basketball Scholarship, and the Joan Brimer-Cramer Endowed Scholarship in honor of Bill’s mother, a 1941 graduate of ESU.  “A scholarship is not merely financial aid; it comes with the caring that is extended so students can benefit in ways much more than financial,” said Mr. Cramer.

Scholarship recipient Samuel Cappella, an ESU junior from Bangor who is working on a dual major in computer science and computer security, with a minor in mathematics, then spoke and expressed his gratitude for having received  two scholarships:  the 2010/11 Kathryn A. Mullins Memorial Marching Band Annual Scholarship, and the Eugene Stish Endowed Scholarship.  He said the award has made a lasting and positive impact upon him.

In concluding the festivities, ESU Foundation President and CEO Frank Falso reiterated the Foundation’s appreciation of the donors “who continue to pass the spark of inspiration to our students.”  He then thanked the speakers with a commemorative ESU paperweight and requested the guests to remain to have their photos taken to memorialize the event.  For more information, visit www.esufoundation.org.

The mission of the ESU Foundation is to foster and promote the growth, progress and general welfare of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, and to solicit, receive and administer, and make gifts and donations for such purposes.

Photo Caption: ( click thumbnail to enlarge ) 2010-11 ESU student scholarship recipients, front row from left: Danielle Zimmerman ’13, Kimberly McFadden ’12, Maureen Ordnung ’12, Kelsey Tucker ’11, Allison Galvin ’13, Mary Dennis ’14, Brian L. Wiltbank ’11, Kelly Aprahamian ’11, Lauren Riggs ’11, Amanda Dice ’10, Sheryl Comer ’13, Tesla Atkins ’11, Julie Kibui ’14, Manuela Benites ’11, and Daniel Medrano ’12. In center row: Samuel Cappella ’12, Emily Cooper ’11, Kirstin Copeland ’12, Laura Brunner ’12, Laura Dildine ’12, Taylor Guth ’13, Emily Mohr ’11, Marisa Bloom ’11, Jessica Pro ’11, Amber Trunfio ’13, Joshua Swick ’14, Joseph Moschella ’10, Carla De La Mata ’14, and Brandon Tigar ’13. In top row: Matt Marshall ’11, Tyler Kapish ’12, Phil Domschke ’12, Michael Tobin ’11, Jason Miszler ’10, Taylor Groff ’14, Jordan Kain ’14, Daniel Caffrey ’11, Cody Berry ’11, Hugh Thornton ’13, and Mark Kalo ’11.