We asked students to tell us how their Stevens journey has been transformed by scholarship support. Their gratitude for the donors who support them is heartfelt, and their determination to show their appreciation by making the most of their Stevens education is inspiring.
Thanks to generous donor support, Stevens is able to provide extraordinary opportunities for students. Classes taught by world-class faculty in state-of-the-art facilities, the chance to engage in research that has the potential to change lives and benefit society, career-building co-ops and internships, a community of like-minded learners, as well as a wide variety of avenues for students to become leaders through service are all hallmarks of a Stevens education. With every new program and facility, the generosity of the Stevens community is front and center.
For so many Stevens students, the impact of donors' generosity begins with scholarships. Scholarships make it possible for talented, hardworking students to embrace all that Stevens has to offer as they prepare for the challenges of the future. Scholarships reflect the many ways our community comes together to support students. Some are created by families to honor or remember a loved one or esteemed colleague. Alumni often pool their resources to create a scholarship on behalf of their class year or to encourage students pursuing a specific discipline. The Stevens Scholarship Fund makes it easy for anyone to contribute at any level, combining gifts to expand access and opportunity.
Read on to learn firsthand from Stevens students how donor support for scholarships impacts their Stevens experience.
Victoria Matysiak, Class of 2027
Chemical Engineering Major
Evenson Fandozzi '93 Scholar
I chose Stevens for its proximity to New York. Once I visited and saw that the campus is perfectly situated in the beautiful city of Hoboken and that it offers incredible academic opportunities, I was sold. Still, I didn't think it would be financially possible for me to go to Stevens until I received the very generous Evenson Fandozzi ’93 Scholarship. As soon as I heard the news, I accepted my spot and never looked back.
My time at Stevens has been filled with joy, inspiration and unforgettable moments that have fundamentally changed my life. During the summer after freshman year, I studied abroad in Tokyo, which taught me so much about independence and introduced me to an international circle of friends. Throughout my sophomore year and the subsequent summer, I participated in research experiences. I learned valuable lessons about what topics I like and dislike in my major, which prepared me to select my senior design project.
My sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma, has provided me with leadership opportunities as well as best friends and a support system. But my favorite experience at Stevens has been my involvement with Engineers Without Borders. Last year I traveled to Peru to work on a project with the organization. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Now I am the organization's treasurer, a valuable experience that helped me secure a summer internship with Engineers Without Borders.
I am still deciding between enrolling in a post-graduate degree program or pursuing industry. Right now, I'm thinking of heading straight to a career in sustainable engineering after I graduate, preferably overseas to further pursue my love of travel. The great thing about Stevens is that in the future, when I'm ready to get my post-graduate degree, I'll already have so much research experience and will know exactly the types of projects I will want to work on in a master's or Ph.D. program. I also still have time to decide if I want to go for an accelerated master's degree at Stevens because of how I've structured my coursework. That flexibility has really helped with this big decision.
I am so thankful for all the opportunities I've had at Stevens. None of it would have been possible without the generosity of the university's donors. This is only my story, but I'm sure many other students with similar scholarships would say the same thing. So many of us would not be able to realize our fullest potential without contributions from the Stevens community.
Ryan Davis, Class of 2026
Software Engineering Major
Class of 1976 Scholar
When I researched colleges, I was very interested in how each institution prepared its students to be ready for the workforce. Stevens is renowned for career placement in a variety of disciplines, and I wanted to be able to take advantage of those opportunities. I also had to look at what was best financially for my family. Receiving the Class of 1976 Endowed Scholarship helped make my decision.
Greek life has been a highlight of my time at Stevens, giving me opportunities assume roles that have allowed me to grow as a leader while also building lifetime connections with a wide range of people.
This past year, I was able to develop my senior design project, a low-cost tracking system to assist those who are caring for people with autism or dementia. It is very rewarding to create a product that matters to people who really need it, and I hope to continue building it into a viable business after I graduate.
The Class of 1976 Endowed Scholarship has encouraged me to persevere and excel in the university's intense four-year engineering program. It is an honor to be part of their legacy. I am grateful for the support, and I appreciate knowing that my work and dedication are being recognized.
Gregorio Garcia, Class of 2029
Quantitative Finance Major
ACES Scholar
As a high school student, choosing a college felt like such a big question. Honestly, the decision weighed on me for a long time. I had multiple options, but none were going to give me what Stevens could offer. I can't stress enough how lucky I feel to be in a place where I'm able to pursue a career in quantitative finance.
I will never forget being in gym class during my senior year and getting an email from Stevens letting me know that my decision letter was ready. To be honest, I didn't think that Stevens would be within my family's reach financially. When I saw that I was accepted into the university's Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) program and learned about the scholarship I would receive as a result, I couldn't believe it. When I went home and told my mother, she was so proud of me. It is a memory that will stay with me forever.
In addition to scholarship support, the people I've met through ACES have steered me in the right direction and given me some of the best advice I've ever received. ACES also gives me access to the Stevens Technical Enrichment Program (STEP), one of the biggest support systems on campus.
My first-year goals included improving academically and getting into the Stevens Student Managed Investment Fund (SSMIF) program, as well as finding something productive to do over the summer before my second year. I am happy to say that I have been accepted into SSMIF as an analyst and I am in the process of obtaining a summer research assignment through ACES.
Goals like these are helping me prepare for the future. I aspire to have a career within STEM. Even though my program is part of the business school, quantitative finance requires coding, math and building models. My calculus II class has so many physics applications in it, it might as well be a physics class! I really enjoy coding financial models, so I think I will fall into the quantitative developer category, but I would also consider a role as a researcher or trader.
Within the next two years I hope to complete an internship, which will be a massive step toward achieving my career goals. I am so grateful for the many ways Stevens is helping to prepare me for a successful future.
Stanley Smith, Class of 2029
Mechanical Engineering Major
Lawrence T. Babbio Jr. ’66 Pinnacle Scholar
The Lawrence T. Babbio Jr. ’66 Pinnacle Scholarship definitely influenced my decision to come to Stevens. I needed to consider my financial situation as well as the education offered by the college I chose. Once I knew I would have the resources to enroll at Stevens because of this scholarship, I knew I didn't want to pass up the research experiences, Pinnacle events and study abroad opportunities I would have here.
The Pinnacle program includes a first-year seminar class. Mine was focused on mechanical engineering and it exposed me to some of the research projects that our professors were conducting within the field. The class was eye-opening, introducing me to the many ways one could apply a mechanical engineering education. Every single week I learned about a new research project, such as state-of-the-art surgical technical methods, metamaterials, nanoscale 3D printing, unmanned autonomous vehicles and the science behind vibrations. It was very interesting to see new ideas and areas I've never thought about, and it was exciting to learn about the research that is happening at Stevens. Now, I am exploring summer research possibilities offered through Pinnacle. I intend to take full advantage of all of the opportunities offered by the Pinnacle program.
Every scholarship gift at Stevens helps propel the career of a student like Victoria, Ryan, Gregorio and Stanley. If you are interested in learning more about scholarships at Stevens, visit our Student Support page.
