Scholarship fund recognizes local students’ academic achievements and community engagement
BOSTON – The James J. Karam Scholarship Fund has awarded nine current and incoming University of Massachusetts students $45,000 in scholarships. The scholarships are awarded annually to SouthCoast students who distinguish themselves through their community engagement activities and strong academic performance.
Business leader and former University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Chairman James Karam and his wife, Janis Karam, established the James J. Karam Scholarship Fund in 2013 to recognize distinguished SouthCoast students.
“Each year we are impressed with the achievements of these inspiring and talented scholars. It’s always an incredible reminder of how transformative a UMass education really is,” Jim Karam said. “I am honored to be a small part of their academic careers and have no doubt of their future success.”
UMass President Marty Meehan recognized the long history of generosity of the Karams and applauded this year’s student honorees.
“Year after year, Jim and Janis Karam demonstrate their commitment to UMass students by investing in the next generation of Massachusetts’s leaders. All nine scholarship recipients are talented and deserving students receiving a world class UMass education,” President Meehan said. “We are once again incredibly grateful to Jim and Janis Karam for their exceptional generosity.”
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
- Emanuele Abi-Younes, New Bedford – Emanuele is a senior at UMass Amherst studying chemical engineering and is a graduate of New Bedford High School.
- Samuele Abi-Younes, New Bedford – Along with her sister, Samuele is a junior at UMass Amherst studying finance and economics. She is a graduate of New Bedford High School.
- Sydney Boland, Somerset – Sydney is a first-year student at UMass Dartmouth who plans to study nursing and is a graduate of Somerset Berkley Regional High School.
- Montayo Cardoza, New Bedford – Montayo is a senior at UMass Lowell studying chemical engineering and is a graduate of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School.
- Savanha Laroche, Fall River – Savanha is a sophomore at UMass Dartmouth studying nursing and is a graduate of BMC Durfee High School.
- Chloe Morgado, New Bedford – Chloe is a sophomore at UMass Amherst studying political science and resource economics. She is a graduate of New Bedford High School.
- Kyle Neves, Fall River – Kyle is a junior at UMass Amherst studying political science and is a graduate of BMC Durfee High School.
- Lannie Wrightington, Fall River – Lannie is a senior at UMass Lowell studying English and is a graduate of Somerset Berkley Regional High School.
- Athena Xifaras, Fairhaven –Athena is a sophomore at UMass Amherst studying psychology and art, and is a graduate of Fairhaven High School.
Originally from Fall River, James Karam graduated from UMass Dartmouth in 1971 before becoming the President and founder of First Bristol Corporation in 1975. First Bristol Corporation has developed retail shopping centers, hotels and office buildings throughout southern New England. In addition, Mr. Karam co-owns the WSAR and WHTB radio stations.
For 10 years, Mr. Karam served on the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees, including four years as Chairman. During his time on the Board, Mr. Karam played a leading role in initiating a multi-billion-dollar capital plan across all five UMass campuses and the creation of the University of Massachusetts School of Law.
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