SUNY Erie Community College President Dr. Dan Hocoy and
Buffalo Bills’ Hall of Fame Running Back Thurman Thomas today announced a new
collaboration that will provide full scholarships for disadvantaged students
enrolled at SUNY Erie.
The new scholarship through the Thurman Thomas Family
Foundation, in conjunction with the SUNY Erie Community College Foundation,
will provide up to three disadvantaged students per year with full tuition,
fees, books and related costs upon entering the second year of their program.
This equates to approximately $5,000-6,000 per award.
“We are honored that the Thurman Thomas Family Foundation
has chosen to work with SUNY Erie to provide scholarships to students who might
not otherwise have the resources to finish their education with us,” President
Hocoy said. “SUNY Erie’s commitment to student success is in the forefront of
our goals as a College, and the generosity shown by Thurman and Patti will help
us to further our mission of providing an open access education to anyone who
seeks it.”
The scholarship assists disadvantaged students within Erie
County who are continuing their education at SUNY Erie Community College. To be eligible, students must have graduated
from a school district within Erie County, be of African American descent, be a
full-time matriculating student at SUNY Erie, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and
have a letter of recommendation from a member of the SUNY Erie faculty, staff,
or alumni, high school counselor or administrator.
According to Thomas, the goal of the scholarship is to allow
students to focus on their studies and move toward completing their degree
without the financial burden of paying tuition. “We really hope to make a
difference in the lives of students who are struggling to make ends meet, so
they can focus on fulfilling their dream of attaining a college degree without
the worry of how they are going to pay their tuition,” he said.
The Thomas family, together with the Thurman Thomas Family Foundation
and the SUNY Erie Foundation, invite you to celebrate the ‘Holidaze’ with them
on Friday, December 14, 2018. This scholarship fundraiser will transform the
Atrium at the SUNY Erie City Campus into a winter wonderland, where carolers
will greet guests as they sleigh down the snowy red carpet to meet hosts Mr.
and Mrs. Clause. There will be plenty of holiday spirit in the air as guests
sip on candy-cane kiss specialty cocktails, sneak a few holiday treats, and
warm up with a trip to the mistletoe photo booth. An auction featuring one-of-a
kind specialty items, themed entertainment, and dancing will have guests
celebrating late into the evening.
The Thomas family have roots, family, friends and success
here in Buffalo but more importantly a passion and love for the city. They have
chosen to make a difference to people in challenging situations here at home
through the Thurman Thomas Family Foundation.
Individual tickets are $100 and may be purchased online at https://www.universe.com/events/thuman-thomas-family-foundation-holidaze-2018-tickets-buffalo-FBCTHN
For information on event sponsorship, contact Natasha Borota
at 416.516.9898 ext. 100 or email Natasha@itfactor.biz