{"id":92,"date":"2019-07-17T18:17:51","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/2014president-to-presidentscholars\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:17:51","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:17:51","slug":"2014president-to-presidentscholars","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/2014president-to-presidentscholars\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 President-to-President Scholars"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dreams of WCSU come true<\/p>\n

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President-to-President scholars Ramon Velazquez and Ben Engel took their studies and leadership roles at local community colleges seriously. Each received a full scholarship to complete their bachelor\u2019s degrees at Western<\/span>.<\/p>\n

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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014
\n Ramon Velazquez and Ben Engel worked hard to put themselves through community college. Despite wanting to continue their education, dreams of going to a large university seemed out of reach. But their commitment to their schools and their studies didn\u2019t go unnoticed and both men earned scholarships to complete their educational goals at Western Connecticut State University<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\n Velazquez and Engel were chosen as this academic year\u2019s President-to-President Scholars, an honor awarded annually to one graduate from Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) and one from Norwalk Community College (NCC). Since 2003, Western and NVCC have co-sponsored the scholarship; this is the second year that Norwalk Community College has presented the scholarship. The annual grant pays full tuition costs for an exemplary associate degree graduate to complete the final two years of studies and earn a bachelor\u2019s degree at Western<\/p>\n

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\n Engel, a 21-year-old Southport native, earned an associate degree from NCC and is now working toward a bachelor\u2019s degree in managerial accounting. He said he developed good study habits in college and, even though the work has gotten harder, Engel earned a 4.0 last semester.<\/p>\n

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\n \u201cI realized I needed to dedicate myself to my studies at Norwalk and I\u2019ve maintained that idea that ultimately I\u2019m here to improve myself in my classes,\u201d Engel said. <\/p>\n

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\n Velazquez, 27 and from Waterbury, also moved to campus for more of a \u201ccollege experience\u201d and said that adjusting to his studies took more focus. But he sailed through his courses with a 3.5 GPA and is looking forward to completing his goal of a business management degree from WCSU.<\/p>\n

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\n Velazquez was very involved in community college life and was president of the NVCC Student Government Association, president of the Hispanic Student Union, a President\u2019s Circle member and a mentor for middle school students in \u201cGear Up.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Velazquez attended NVCC because it was affordable and a five-minute walk from his home. He applied for the scholarship because he wanted to continue his education and further his career.<\/p>\n

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\n \u201cI wanted to pursue my education,\u201d Velazquez said. \u201cThis was a sign to keep going. I consider this like a job: I\u2019m investing my time learning and accomplishing my goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Engel and Velazquez said that the opportunity to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree at Western has been a great complement to their community college education. <\/p>\n

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\n Engel choose Norwalk Community College because of its affordability and close proximity, but he quickly became immersed in campus life. He took on the role of student body president and presided over a variety of leadership activities. At Western, Engel decided to live on campus for the full experience and is hoping to become more involved with clubs and organizations now that he\u2019s established himself as a student.<\/p>\n

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Both Western students said that receiving the award was a crowning moment, as each wasn\u2019t quite sure what the future held for them in terms of education.<\/p>\n

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\n \u201cIt was one of the best moments of the year,\u201d Engel said. \u201cIt was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.\u201d He said without the scholarship, he would have likely taken time off from school to work and save for tuition.<\/p>\n

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Engel said that his professors in the Ancell School of Business<\/a> at WCSU are thought-provoking and accessible. Velazquez agreed and said that his professors have dedicated extra time toward helping him work through some of the more difficult courses. He said he learned the basics in community college and now the learning is \u201chard core.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n \u201cI know I have a lot to learn and my learning is now on a whole new level,\u201d Velazquez said. <\/p>\n

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\n Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics
\n of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/em><\/p>\n

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