James Patterson ‘69 supports undergraduate students for the 13th consecutive year with the James Patterson scholarship.
MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY
Elizabeth Kalaj, Senior Writer
James Patterson ‘69, a New York Times bestselling author and philanthropist, awarded 19 Manhattan University students $5,000 scholarships based on essay submissions that encapsulated awardees’ academic excellence, financial need and involvement in activities that align with the Lasallian mission.
This is the 13th consecutive year that Patterson has provided support to undergraduate students through this scholarship, in addition to the newly created James Patterson Honors Program that is going into effect this fall.
The application for this scholarship begins each year with an email notification to the undergraduate students who fit the necessary GPA and financial requirements. From then on, the determination of awardees is largely centered around the student essays that have been submitted. However, this scholarship is unique in that the selected applicants can attend a workshop together and work on their essays.
Brian Oduor, a senior electrical engineering major, commented on the process of receiving this scholarship.
“This was an amazing opportunity because it was more than being handed a scholarship with a certain amount of money,” Oduor said. “It was an opportunity for me to not only get to learn more about myself in terms of my future and goals, but also [learn about] myself through questions that I had not approached yet with answers that came as I wrote about it.”
Oduor, a two-time recipient of the Patterson scholarship, talked about how his experience with the scholarship and application process has affected him personally over the past two years.
“Over the past year, I was able to reflect from the essay I wrote and change a few things,” Oduor said. “I learned a lot more about myself and writing the essay itself helped me get closer to my family because I had to go and ask them questions about the family in order to understand myself. It also helped me with my English and writing skills.”
Patterson is an essential part of Manhattan University’s large pool of alumni. Alexander Morel, junior psychology and English major, reflected on the idea of alumni giving back to their alma mater.
“Going to MU is one very big cycle,” Morel said. “You come here and the school gives you what you need in life to go further. It gives you great classes, connections and opens so many doors. In my opinion, it only makes sense for people who have gone far and beyond in life to come back and give back in some way, whether it is in the form of the James Patterson scholarship or donating money to maintain a building.”
Receiving this scholarship gives many upperclassmen a resource in the form of financial assistance towards the end of their undergraduate education experiences. Ivanna Duran, a senior digital media arts major, emphasizes the impact this award has on her life.
“Receiving the scholarship definitely alleviated a lot of financial burden,” Duran said. “It allowed me to focus on my studies, rather than being overwhelmed with a lot of debt. I know my mom and I have had to take out loans, so we are just beyond appreciative for any help that we can get.”
Many of the recipients of the award expressed their appreciation in the fact that Patterson takes the time to read each application essay himself and is engaged with the community. While there are many differences between the recipients of the award, they all voiced one identical emotion: their extreme gratitude for James Patterson.