01-07-2025
Raritan Valley Community College receives largest scholarship commitment in its history
Frank and Pat Russo have been creating opportunities to help students succeed at Raritan Valley Community College for several years.
First, they endowed the Frank S. and Patricia F. Russo Scholarship in 2019 and then transformed the annual RVCC Giving Day with a "Match Challenge" for two consecutive years at $50,000 each.
Now, their generosity has taken another step. Recently the couple decided to extend their scholarship well into the future with a $375,000 donation allowing for five full scholarships to RVCC in each of the next 10 years.
It is the largest scholarship commitment in RVCC's history.
"The role and intrinsic value of community colleges is undeniable," said Frank Russo. "Our support of several recent students of Raritan Valley Community College provides objective evidence of that. We hope our commitment to RVCC is a model for others to follow."
Lucas Winkler was a recipient this past year of the Frank S. and Patricia F. Scholarship at RVCC. This fall he will be transferring to the University of Buffalo to pursue a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical science, a field in which he ultimately plans to pursue a doctorate
"I could not be more grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Russo − their generosity has been a difference maker for me," Winkler said.
More: More than 1,200 graduate from Raritan Valley Community College
Both Frank and Pat Russo enjoyed storied careers in the telecommunications industry, at AT&T, and then, for Pat Russo, as CEO at Lucent Technologies. Difference makers in the corporate world, they have carried that forward into a range of philanthropic interests.
One beneficiary of their generosity is Raritan Valley Community College.
When the Russos established the Frank S. and Patricia F. Russo Scholarship in 2019, it was the most generous scholarship offered at RVCC. The scholarship has been awarded to five students each year since its inception.
"I know what it means to struggle or lose focus or maybe not even have the motivation to excel at all. That describes the early part of my life's journey," Frank Russo said. "But I eventually learned the importance of perseverance and determination. And with help along the way, including attending a community college in upstate New York, I overcame these obstacles. There are few things as gratifying as now having the ability to 'pay that forward' at RVCC."
"New Jersey was an important part of our lives and livelihoods; we raised our family there and made our career marks there," said Pat Russo, herself a graduate of Georgetown. "And while we don't reside in the state any longer, we haven't forgotten our roots and greatly value the role of education in helping people succeed in life and advance their economic interests. The role of community colleges in that quest could not be more unique and valuable. We recognize that and are more than happy to support Raritan Valley Community College."
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Cheryl Makin is an award-winning feature, news and education reporter for part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@ or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on Raritan Valley Community College receives largest scholarship gift
