Twenty Manhattan College Students Receive James Patterson ’69 Scholarships
The best-selling author and philanthropist continues to support students from his alma mater.
Twenty Manhattan College students have received a James Patterson ’69 scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year.
It is the ninth 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 School of Liberal Arts, School of Education and Health, School of Engineering, School of 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.
“The continuing dedication of the Pattersons to education is inspiring,” said Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., president of Manhattan College. “Through this program, they are making a real difference in the lives of some of our best students—recognizing their achievement thus far and providing strong support as they near completion of their degrees.”
The scholarship recipients include:
Juniors
Clinton Greene, history (Waterford, N.Y.)
Pedro Gutierrez, electrical engineering (Bronx, N.Y)
DeVaughn Harris, philosophy (Far Rockaway, N.Y.)
Franchesca Pepaj, biochemistry (Bronx, N.Y.)
Janessa Rosado, childhood education (Bronx, N.Y.)
Samantha Russo, accounting (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
Ariel Salazar, computer science (Queens, N.Y.)
Edward Tibu, radiation therapy technology (Bronx, N.Y.)
Charlie Vidal, electrical engineering (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Luis Vargas, biology (Miami, Fla.)
Seniors
Meggie Black, English/art history (Bronx, N.Y.)
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, management (Bronx, N.Y.)
Ahmed Murshed, civil engineering (Yonkers, N.Y.)
Edelysa Perez, sociology/psychology (Bronx, N.Y.)
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.
“All of these students, and their peers, have persevered through so much during the past year,” Patterson said. “I’m thrilled to be able to support them as they continue to advance toward earning their degrees during these unprecedented times.”
James Patterson ’69 is the world’s bestselling author. 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.
Patterson has given over three million books to school-age children and the military, donated more than $70 million to support education, and endowed more than 5,000 college scholarships for teachers. The National Book Foundation recently presented Patterson with the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, and he is also the recipient of an Edgar Award and six Emmy Awards. He lives in Florida with his family.