MCC Announces Fall 2016 Scholarship Recipients
Manchester, Conn. (May 25, 2016) – Manchester Community College Foundation awarded a total of more than $100,000 to 180 students for the Fall 2016 semester. The scholarship presentation was held Tuesday evening, May 24, in the SBM Charitable Foundation auditorium. A reception followed for the recipients and their families.
Muadd Ghellai, of New Britain, Conn., a recipient of the Dr. Robert and Joyce Fish Scholarship, spoke at the presentation ceremony and thanked donors.
A resident of the United States, Ghellai returned to his home country of Libya in 2005. “Two years ago around this time, my brothers and I were sitting on the streets of Libya,” he said. “We had no running water, electricity or petrol in the gas stations. Honestly if you asked me if I would be standing here now, I wouldn’t have believed you.” He subsequently returned to the United States to pursue his education.
Ghellai added, “Coming to MCC I made some great friends who are also sitting here today and helped me integrate and move forward.”
Francesco Blackmore, a past scholarship recipient, was a guest speaker at the event. He will be receiving his associate degree in music studies at the college’s 52nd Commencement Exercises tomorrow, May 26, at the Bicentennial Band Shell. “I will continue my studies as a music education major in the fall at Central Connecticut State University,” he said. “I could not have done this without the help of MCC’s exceptional professors and the financial support of our donors.”
As a curtain call Blackmore, who has already released a CD of his music, played an original piano composition dedicated to the Fall 2016 scholarship recipients and their guests, entitled, “A New Day.”
MCC Foundation gives hundreds of deserving students the opportunity to achieve their academic dreams through the scholarship program. In addition, the foundation supports college programs.
A complete list of the recipients, their awards and hometowns is Fall 2016 Scholarship Recipients.
View the photo gallery.
