Published 2 min read
By Ed Brennen
A young woman shakes hands with a man in a checkered blazer while another man looks on. Image by Ed Brennen

Junior business major Sahana Sivarajan, right, recipient of the Rist Family Current Use Scholarship, shakes hands with Brian Rist '77, '22, '22 (H) while Senior Director of Development Steve Rogers '20 looks on during the Manning School's inaugural Celebration of Scholarship at University Crossing.


Gabriella Monteiro remembers being in tears as she read the email saying that she might not be able to return to UMass Lowell for her sophomore year because of a tuition shortfall.

“I was just beginning my journey, and I felt like the door that I had worked so hard to open was closing right in front of me,” recalls Monteiro, a business major and first-generation college student from Somerville. “I knew I needed a solution.”

She found it with the Pulichino/Tong Family Foundation, Inc. Business Endowed Scholarship.

“This scholarship didn’t just keep me in school; it helped me find my voice, my purpose, my people and, most importantly, my passion,” says Monteiro, now a senior with concentrations in marketing and international business and a minor in digital media. 

A man with glasses and a young woman clip notes on opposite sides of a metal lattice. Image by Ed Brennen

John Pulichino '67, '14 (H), left, joins students in adding messages about giving during the Celebration of Scholarship.


Monteiro was able to thank her scholarship benefactors, John Pulichino '67, '14 (H) and Joy Tong ’14 (H), in person at the Manning School of Business’ inaugural Celebration of Scholarship, held recently at University Crossing.

This year, the Manning School awarded 55 donor-funded scholarships to 242 students across undergraduate and graduate programs.

Bertie Greer, whose Manning School deanship is endowed by alum Brian Rist ’77, ’22, ’22 (H) and his wife Kim Rist ’22 (H), thanked donors for their life-changing generosity.

“Your investment in our students is an investment in possibility, leadership and the future of our communities,” she said. “You don’t just fund education: You build confidence. You ease their worry. You remind our students that someone believes in them.”

Master of Business Administration (MBA) student Stephanie Carpenito ’25, who joined Monteiro as a featured student speaker, said that her Rist Family Bachelor’s to Master’s Current Scholarship was “instrumental” in allowing her to work toward her second degree.

Two college students talk with two women in front of a blue backdrop in a room. Image by Ed Brennen

Some 242 Manning School of Business students received 55 donor-funded scholarships this year.


“Your generosity allows me to dedicate myself fully to learning, growing and preparing to make a meaningful impact in the world of business,” Carpenito said. “Our donors’ support doesn't just shape our present, it shapes the trajectory of our futures.”

The celebration also highlighted the human connections that scholarships create. 

Accounting junior Kylie Plamondon, recipient of the Lorna Boucher ’86 Endowed Scholarship, met Boucher for the first time, and the two quickly began mapping out mentorship and networking possibilities. 

“It goes beyond just the financial help,” said Plamondon, a commuter student from Leominster. “To have a mentor and someone who is willing to help me with things is super-important.”

A young woman dressed in black makes a speech at a lecturn while people watch from the audience. Image by Ed Brennen

Business alum Ron Carpenito '92, left, watches his daughter, master's student Stephanie Carpenito '25, speak about the impact of receiving the Rist Family Bachelor's to Master's Scholarship.


“I love meeting the amazing students here, and when I have a personal connection like this, it's even more powerful,” said Boucher, who serves as chair of the Manning School Advisory Board.

Alison Lewandowski helped establish a scholarship in memory of her late husband, business alum Brian Kinney ’95, who was killed on 9/11. She appreciated the chance to meet one of this year’s recipients, sophomore accounting student Ethan Ciniello.

“In years past, we would get thank-you letters, which was nice,” she said. “But it was great to see who’s getting the scholarship and hear how meaningful it is to them.” 

For Pulichino and Tong, whose names are on the business center, the celebration was a chance to check in with students like Monteiro and assess their needs.

“It’s important for us to get that fresh update as each class makes its way through their four-year studies,” Pulichino said. “We enjoy hearing about their success — not only in their studies, but where their future endeavors will lead them as a result of being here at UMass Lowell.”