Mercy College Raises $450,000 for Student Scholarships at Annual Trustees’ Gala

The Mercy College 41st Annual Trustees’ Scholarship Gala, held at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, New York on a May 5, raised $450,000 to benefit student scholarships. Attendees to the gala included community leaders, as well as Mercy trustees, students, Mercy and CNR alumni, faculty and staff, and friends who gathered in person and virtually to celebrate the evening’s honorees and the achievements of Mercy students.

During the gala, Mercy honored Dorothy M. Cali Balancio ’68, Ph.D., an educator, author and conflict mediation expert, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The CNR Legacy Award was awarded to Rosa J. Napoleone CNR SAS ’75, a former information technology professional who co-chairs Mercy’s CNR Legacy Council, and Deandre Davis ’22, a student in the Mercy Scholars Program, was awarded the Student Achievement Award.

The Mercy Scholars Program was recognized during the gala for its success in giving students the opportunity of a college education with limited to no debt. Established in 2016 by Robert and Kate Niehaus and James and Marsha McCormick, the Mercy Scholars Program helps close the financial gap for high-achieving students with strong financial need.

Mercy College President Tim Hall welcomed guests to the gala, pleased to see the Mercy College community gathered in person for the annual event after two years of remote events due to the pandemic. “Mercy College is a laboratory of success,” said Hall. “If you give students opportunities and give them the right help and support, they soar. That’s what I’ve learned, and seen happen, at Mercy College.”

Student Achievement Award recipient Deandre Davis shared his gratitude and attributed Mercy College and the Mercy Scholars Program, and his mother Diane, in helping him flourish and fulfill his dreams of achieving a college degree. After graduation, Davis will be helping future generations of Mercy students as a Brooklyn admissions recruiter at Mercy’s Manhattan Campus, as well as pursuing his Master of Business Administration at Mercy.

Joe Gantz, chairman of Mercy College’s Board of Trustees, praised the evening’s honorees and Mercy students on behalf of the board.  “I want to congratulate the honorees and give special recognition to those who funded the Mercy Scholars Program,” said Gantz. He also lauded Mercy staff and faculty for the unwavering support they give to students. “Mercy is dedicated to ensuring students get the support they need. As we all know it takes a village.”

To watch the event, click here.