Each year, Loyola University Maryland’s graduating seniors band together to raise funds for a gift to the University, one that reflects their spirit, their sense of community and connection, and their gratitude to Loyola. The Class of 2011 has established a scholarship in memory of late classmates Evan Girardi and Stephanie Parente.
The class has already raised more than $25,000 toward its $50,000 goal, the amount necessary to create an endowed scholarship that will be given to a new student each year. If successful, this will be the largest senior class gift campaign in University history.
“Loyola has been so much a part of all of our lives,” said Danielle Scorrano, from Somers, N.Y., a member of the Senior Class Gift committee and one of Parente’s roommates. “We really wanted to do something that demonstrates how much our years at Loyola have meant to us, and the best way we knew how was by honoring Steph and Evan, whose memories live on in all of us. A scholarship also lets us play a part in making this amazing experience possible for future students.”
Parente, originally from Garden City, N.Y., died in April 2009 along with her mother and younger sister, victims of a murder-suicide committed by her father. Girardi, from Hopkinton, Mass., died in September 2010. He had had a heart condition from birth.
The Senior Class Gift Committee has a variety of events and activities planned throughout the spring to raise funds for the scholarship. The results of the campaign will be announced at the University’s May 21 Commencement Exercises.
For more information or questions regarding this story, contact Media Relations Manager Nick Alexopulos at nalexopulos@loyola.edu or 410-617-5025.