Scholarship Dinner Draws Nearly 500

Nearly 500 scholarship recipients, donors and their guests, and members of the William Paterson community, including administrators, faculty, staff, and board members, gathered for the 17th annual Scholarship Dinner last fall on campus. The inspirational event celebrates the many generous alumni and friends who make scholarships possible, while providing an opportunity for donors and the University’s outstanding scholarship recipients to meet.

Highlighting the evening were remarks by student Katherine Zimny, a junior majoring in earth science and elementary education who is the recipient of the Charlotte P. and Louis Y. Sirota Scholarship, and donors Rick and Bobby Sirota, brothers who established the scholarship in memory of their parents, who were both William Paterson alumni.

“Our mom and dad had a 67-year love affair…based upon a love born of mutual respect,” said Bobby Sirota. “And this mutual respect was in no small part born of the intellectual and character development derived from their experiences at William Paterson University.” Rick Sirota pointed to how many William Paterson students overcome economic barriers to succeed. “We admire these students,” he said. “Here at William Paterson University, the American dream is alive, well, and thriving. The Sirota family will continue to make financial contributions to William Paterson students to enhance their lives and our country.”

To view more photos from the scholarship dinner, click here