MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. -- The adage “it is better to give than receive,” can spark a few jokes about the fun some would find in testing the theory. But proof some feel tremendous joy through giving was palpable at the recent SUNY Orange Foundation and Alumni Engagement scholarship recognition ceremony. Among the 300 attendees were several scholarship donors, including Frank Peverly and Ray Leduc. Each was delighted to meet the recipients of their financial support.

Leduc started an endowed scholarship several years ago in memory of his wife, Claudine Marie Martin. After facing a series of challenges, she earned her college degrees as an adult, becoming a fourth-grade teacher at Vails Gate High Tech Magnet School before retiring in 2009 and passing away at the age of 64 following a short, courageous battle with cancer.

Scholarship recipients Dalila Gonzalez and Yanitzy Giron attended the ceremony and had the opportunity to meet Leduc, who expressed his happiness for the opportunity. Benjamin Castro received the Francis and Christine Peverly Scholarship.

The Peverly’s are first-generation college students who worked multiple jobs while attending classes. Frank was a scholarship recipient who understands the importance of scholarships firsthand. Peverly addressed those assembled about the scholarship he and his wife Christine started.

He shared during his speech, “…when we were in a position to be able to give back, we placed our focus on education, and in particular, helping others by providing them the same generous opportunity we had – financial funding for schooling.” He continued, “the desire my wife and I had in creating this scholarship, was to provide that opportunity here in Orange County, at SUNY Orange.”

After congratulating all scholarship recipients, Peverly concluded, “I also thank my fellow donors. Your generosity and kindness make an impact on someone in this community, and together with all our donors, is helping to socially and economically improve the destiny of our community.”

In addition to Peverly and Leduc, other donors in attendance included Jim Diana from LAN Associates in Goshen, who started a scholarship for architecture and engineering students. Also in attendance was Anne Prial, who increased the Danny Prial Memorial Scholarship to cover two full-tuition scholarships for the next academic year.

“This annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony is an important opportunity to recognize our students who have worked so hard to earn these scholarships, but it is a very powerful moment for our donors as well. Seeing the diverse group of students who benefit from these scholarships and knowing they played a role in helping these same students achieve their educational dreams helps a donor see and feel how important their gift truly is. And when a student and donor meet and share their personal stories...that is just pure magic,” said Dawn Ansbro, executive director of the SUNY Orange Foundation.

For more information on starting or contributing to a SUNY Orange scholarship, contact Ansbro at dawn.ansbro@sunyorange.edu or visit https://www.sunyorangefoundation.org.

Photo caption: Raymond Leduc (center) enjoyed the recent opportunity to meet the recipients of a SUNY Orange scholarship fund he began several years in memory of his late wife Claudine Marie Martin when the College and SNY Orange Foundation hosted the Fall Scholarship and Awards Ceremony. This year’s recipients were Yanitzy Giron (left) and Dalila Gonzalez.