2025 News Alumni: UMass Dartmouth’s Scholar Day: Generosity in bloom

Annual brunch celebrates how scholarships foster meaningful connections between donors and recipients—bonds that often extend far beyond financial support.

In fiscal year 2024, current use and endowed scholarship funds raised at UMass Dartmouth peaked at $2.5 million. Undoubtedly, the enduring generosity of the University’s donors and their commitment to helping Corsairs pursue their passions has brightened the future for countless students, offering financial support in critical times of need. Each donor leaves a handprint on the lives of their recipients, an unforgettable touch of generosity that opens pathways to success. 

Every year, Scholar Day celebrates the cherished connection between scholarship donors and recipients with a brunch featuring speeches about the impact of giving back, alongside several student exhibitions that highlight the power of philanthropy in fostering academic excellence. Held on April 5 in the Marketplace on campus, donors witnessed firsthand how their support equips students with the tools to succeed, as students demonstrated the tangible outcomes of that support through their achievements and hard work. 

“The level of talent and interest these students have demonstrated is incredible. It’s been over 40 years since I attended UMass Dartmouth, and the ingenuity and creativity of its students only keeps getting better!” said John Moreira ’84, one of many UMass Dartmouth Foundation Board members responsible for supporting the university’s development efforts and ensuring students have the resources they need to thrive in and beyond the classroom.  

Donors and students sat for an intimate brunch, where meaningful relationships can bloom and inspiration can take root. Scholarship recipients and Honors College students Mardochee Dominique ’27 and Leandro Neves ’25 spoke fervently to attendees about the influence that their scholarships have had on their college experiences, allowing them to secure leadership roles on campus and life-changing internship opportunities. 

Scholarship recipients and their benefactors bonded over their journeys, career aspirations, and the lasting difference philanthropy has made for both, like Jason Vining ’98 and Jackie Sassin ’27. Vining, who founded the Salem Metal Inc. Blue and Gold Scholarship awarded to Sassin for the second year in a row, has become more than a mentor to his recipient—he’s become a role model and someone she looks up to.  

“The opportunities I’ve had, the social mobility I’ve experienced, the people that I’ve connected with all stems from my education at UMass Dartmouth. That’s why it’s so important to give back, to continue that cycle of success for students today.” 

“I’m a first-generation student, so I never had guidance from my parents on what college would be like,” said Sassin, a sophomore studying marketing. “But Jason stepped into my life as that figure I really need on this journey. This is my second time at Scholar Day, and every time I attend, it makes me realize the impact Jason has had on my life.” 

“It’s been so fulfilling to give back to such an amazing student like Jackie,” said Vining. “I’m so thrilled that I can be that mentor she needs. Even beyond the monetary support of this scholarship, being able to offer advice and build a real connection with her means just as much—if not more.” 

John (MBA ’81) and Julie (Judy) Murphy established the John M. and Julie T. Murphy Endowed Scholarship, providing Rebecca Mejia ’25 the opportunity to advance her studies in finance as an upperclassman, with graduation just around the corner this May. Despite this being the scholarship’s tenth year since its establishment, this is the first repeat recipient for the Murphys, who were pleased to see Mejia’s profound growth since last year. 

“Judy and I noticed that she went from a junior uncertain of the future to a senior ready to take on whatever gets thrown her way,” said John, who was a first-generation student just like Mejia. “I noticed a tremendous amount of maturity that we were able to witness firsthand. She has so much potential, and I hope she gives back one day in the future, too.” 

“The Murphys and I have such a genuine relationship,” said Mejia. “They always remind me that I may study one thing, but I’ll never know where life will take me. There are different paths to success that I can take, and I should keep my career options open. I’m so thankful that I have them to talk about academics, life experiences, and different professional opportunities that await me when I graduate this spring.” 

For the past two years, Daniel (’93) and Anabell (’10) DeOliveira have supported Lea Nassar ’26, a biology major from Lebanon, with the Maximize Your Potential Endowed Scholarship and their words of encouragement. Nassar said, “I have a habit of saying ‘I hope so,’ but the DeOliveiras taught me to say ‘I know so’ instead. I met them last year at Scholar Day, and every time I’ve spoken with them since, they have been so empowering and positive. They give me motivation to become a better version of myself.” 

“For me, Scholar Day is far more than a tradition—it's a reflection of what becomes possible when we choose to invest in one another,” said Anabell. “To support a student financially is to say, ‘I believe in your potential.’ I see this event as a powerful moment to not only give, but to guide and introduce these students to a community that fuels their aspirations, while also encouraging them to build networks of their own, rooted in trust, intention, and vision.” 

The event concluded with Carol Rego ’82, dedicated civil engineering alumna, long-time supporter, and member of the UMass Dartmouth Foundation Board, explaining the importance of giving back to an institution like UMass Dartmouth and its deserving students. She established the Rego Family Engineering Scholarship in 2014, supporting students pursuing careers in civil and environmental engineering. 

“Everybody was telling me to be a math teacher or a nurse because I was so good at math and science, but I wanted to be an engineer,” said Rego, who went on to become the Vice President of CDM Smith. Her leadership and expertise have helped ensure communities across New England have access to safe, clean drinking water. “I decided to come to, at the time, Southeastern Massachusetts University (SMU), and when I got here, I never once had anyone doubt me, a young girl from Fall River who wanted to be an engineer. 

“The opportunities I’ve had, the social mobility I’ve experienced, the people that I’ve connected with all stems from my education at UMass Dartmouth,” she continued. “That’s why it’s so important to give back, to continue that cycle of success for students today.” 

UMass Dartmouth’s Scholar Day: Generosity in bloom

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