Public Employee Press

DC 37 Scholarships
The joy of giving, the rewards of receiving

By JANE LaTOUR

As Education Committee Chair Joan Reed opened the program at DC 37’s annual scholarship dinner-dance on Sept. 11, she noted the somber anniversary.

“9/11 will always be burned in our memory,” she said. But the occasion this year was a joyous one, as she pointed out. “It’s wonderful to see the support for this program. We want
you — the children and grandchildren of union members — to know that we are proud of you.”

Executive Director Lillian Roberts credited contributors with making the greatest tribute to the members by investing in their children’s future.

“The Scholarship Dinner is very, very important,” she said. “It is our way of supporting our young people, now and in the future.”

Positive gains
Education Fund Administrator Barbara Kairson borrowed a term from the business world to capture the essence of the scholarship program. “ ‘Return on investment means receiving something of far greater value than your initial investment,” she said. “As DC 37 continues to invest in the educational development of the young people here today, they will ensure that the return on investment is a very positive one.”

This year’s scholarship students are a diverse and outstanding group. Lusana Ahsan aspires to become a doctor. There are 17 students in her pre-med program at Brooklyn College. Ms. Ahsan is the daughter of Local 1320 member Mohammed Ahsan. Her interests also include literature, creative writing, sociology and political science.

Steven Shlivko, the son of Local 983 member Vladimir Shlivko, is majoring in chemical engineering at Columbia University. “I always loved chemistry. It fascinates me,” he explained.

Anna-Maria Oprescu is a pre-med student at Fordham University. She is majoring in psychology and hopes to go into psychiatry. Her mother, Nina Radu, is a member of Social Service Employees Union Local 371. “I’m very happy,” said Radu. “She’s a hard worker and her effort was rewarded.”

These students are embarking on their college careers at a time when costs are rising. Tuition and fees at public colleges increased by 14 percent this year, while the average cost of a private college soared to $26,854. Joseph Titus is a member of Local 957 and a Special Investigator for the Housing Authority. His daughter,

Ashley, is a freshman at Binghamton University. “She wants to be a doctor — a pediatrician,” he said. “The union scholarship program is a big help! The cost of education is a little too high,” said the proud father.

As always, the parents in attendance at the dinner-dance were eager to express their appreciation. Local 957 member Yu Xian Lee is the mother of Terrence Lee, a first-year student at Amherst College. “The scholarship is very helpful, and it means a great deal to Terrence,” she said. Both of Syndee Lipsky’s parents are Accountants and members of Local 1407. “We’re both very thankful to the union,” they said. Ms. Lipsky is in her first year at Nassau Community College.

The Education Committee takes on the hard work of raising funds for the scholarships. College Assistants Local 2054 President Joan Reed has chaired the committee for the past 10 years. “Our main fundraiser is the dinner-dance, but we’ve also sponsored trips to Belmont Race Track and Jazz Evenings,” she explained. “This work is extremely rewarding. I receive letters of appreciation from the parents and grandparents and they are so grateful for the assistance.”

Commitment for the future
Blue Collar Division Council Rep Wilson “Bill” Fenty has been active with the committee for 15 years. “Having a learning impairment myself, I find it very rewarding to help anybody who is looking to advance through getting an education,” he said. “One of the most satisfying things has been adding a scholarship for students with disabilities, which we call the Overcoming Obstacles Award. It feels good to see that these students are trying to improve themselves through education like other people.”

White Collar Division Rep Phyllis McLean, a more recent addition to the committee, is equally enthusiastic. “I think it’s a blessing to give these scholarships to the children and to help them along the way,” she said.

“I have a wonderful committee,” said Reed. “We’re all very happy to help the students to take the first steps in what we know will be rewarding and successful lives.”