Last week the David Eccles School of Business held its 61st Annual Scholarship Luncheon, which gave students the opportunity to thank the donors that helped fund their education. Alumni, foundations, and corporations joined together to provide more than 150 scholarships to nearly 350 students for the 2012-2013 academic year.
This year we recognized Jessie and Nancy Montez for their generous and long-standing financial support to the students at the David Eccles School of Business. Jessie thanks the business school for preparing him for a career in the accounting world, especially for his first job at Arthur Young (now Ernst & Young LLP). He adds, “I give my education at the college 100% of the credit.” Because of Montez family’s commitment to education, he and Nancy have funded a scholarship each year since 1993. In 1995, they established the Jessie T. and Nancy L. Montez-Halliburton Company Scholarship Endowment. Since then they have provided funds for an annual scholarship while also building their scholarship endowment.
Jessie and Nancy Montez are thanked for their generous scholarship contributions to David Eccles School of Business students.
During our luncheon, donors and students heard from Annette Cella, the recipient of the Lori Kay Soares Hacking Scholarship and the Christine C. Whipple Opportunity Scholarship. Cella spoke of how education has made a positive and lasting difference in her life, as she was able to break free from a marriage that was detrimental to the health and well being of her and her children. While attending school, she learned that her five year-old daughter had brain cancer. Cella left school to spend as much time with her as possible. After the devastating loss, Cella returned to school driven to succeed and be a “hero” like her daughter was while fighting cancer. Now Cella’s future looks bright as she’s accepted a full-time position with a local mortgage company giving her and her family the financial stability and independence needed to make a fresh start.
Annette Cella, recipient of the Christine C. Whipple Opportunity Scholarship and Lori Kay Soares Hacking Scholarship, stands with benefactor, Thelma Soares.
Education is the key to success in life and often times is difficult to achieve alone. Through gifts of financial support, individuals and corporations are playing a significant role in changing the landscape of our economic climate and making a powerful impact in the lives of individuals. We invite alumni, foundations, and corporations to give back. When we join together, each of us achieve great success.
For more information on scholarships, please contact Katie Amundsen at 801-585-5416.