James Patterson ’69 Supports Newest Class of Patterson Scholars

Twenty Manhattan College students will receive a James Patterson ’69 scholarship for the 2019-20 academic year.

It is the eighth consecutive year that Patterson, the best-selling author and philanthropist, has supported the program, which awards scholarships to 10 juniors and 10 seniors from the Schools of Liberal Arts, Education and Health, Engineering, Science and the O’Malley School of Business.

All 20 students received the scholarships based on merit, need, and involvement in activities that are tied to the College’s Lasallian mission.

“I’m delighted to recognize and reward these Manhattan College students who not only excel academically but are incredibly active on campus,” Patterson said. “These students are our future leaders and educators. I’m proud to continue to support them during their time as Jaspers.”

The scholarship recipients include:

Juniors

Albiona Brahimaj, mathematics (Bronx, N.Y.)
Nadia Itani, civil engineering (Emerson, N.J.)
Mary Kret, exercise science (Tuckahoe, N.Y.)
Bryan McKeon, civil engineering (Staten Island, N.Y.)
Nesibe Memedovski, allied health (Bronx, N.Y.)
Ricardo Mendez, accounting (Pearl River, N.Y.)
Angely Morillo, finance (Bronx, N.Y.)
Ahmed Murshed, civil engineering (Yonkers, N.Y.)
Margaret Osorio, English/art history (Bronx, N.Y.)
Edelysa Perez, sociology/psychology (Bronx, N.Y.)

Seniors

Taylor Aloisio, childhood education (East Rockaway, N.Y.)
Shannon Colford, Spanish/communication (Epping, N.H.)
Miguel Diaz, mechanical engineering (Bronx, N.Y.)
Patricia Egan, philosophy/psychology (Shrewsbury, Mass.)
Sonia Ethakkan, chemical engineering (Lewisville, Texas)
Hasan Hamid, mechanical engineering (Astoria, N.Y.)
Kelly Kret, mechanical engineering (Tuckahoe, N.Y.)
Amanda Lazkani, chemical engineering (Staten Island, N.Y.)
Kyle Plitnick, Spanish (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.)
Melissa Samanoglu, psychology (Ramsey, N.J.)

The scholarship program awards $5,000 to each of the 20 recipients. All seniors are eligible to apply to receive one of four additional $2,500 awards based on essay submissions that outline their aspirations after graduation.

“We’re deeply grateful for James Patterson’s continuing generosity and support of the mission of his alma mater," said Brennan O’Donnell, president of Manhattan College. "Such support is a major driver of the College's recent designation by MONEY as the "most transformative" College in the country. This year's Patterson scholars are some of our brightest stars, students who are making a difference on campus and who we are confident will do great things after graduation.”

James Patterson has created many enduring fictional characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Michael Bennett, Maximum Ride, Middle School, and I Funny. Among his notable literary collaborations are The President Is Missing, with President Bill Clinton, and the Max Einstein series, produced in partnership with the Albert Einstein Estate. The National Book Foundation recently presented Patterson with the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. He is also the recipient of an Edgar Award and six Emmy Awards.