Impacting Others

The annual Benefactor and Student Scholarship Dinner brought together students and donors for an evening of celebration and gratitude on Sunday, April 6, in the Shields Science Center.

The event—centered around the theme "Impact Others"—showcased the transformative power of scholarships and the generosity of benefactors in supporting students' academic and career aspirations.

One of the evening’s highlights was a speech from Luis Mendes ’25, a finance and data analytics major, who shared how his scholarship has profoundly impacted his life, opening up numerous opportunities. “Thanks to my scholarship, I was able to step outside my comfort zone—not only focusing on academic excellence but also on my personal growth and development. It was at Stonehill that I learned the mind should not be cultivated at the expense of the heart,” Mendes said.

The event also served as a moment of recognition for the benefactors who have played a pivotal role in making these scholarships possible. Phil Nessralla spoke of the Michael D. Nessralla Memorial Scholarship that was established by his family in 1989 in memory of his brother. He reflected on "people reaching out to other people and doing good” and the blessing of both giving and receiving.  

At the close of the evening, President John Denning, C.S.C., expressed his gratitude to the benefactors for their unwavering support. “Stonehill College, like its students, has always demonstrated a resilient and optimistic spirit," he noted. "Our community is filled with caring and compassionate students, families, alumni, faculty and staff dedicated to leading with a focus on the positive effects of their actions, both big and small. I am eternally grateful for the many ways your contributions support our students and their Stonehill College journeys.”