Student success and the limitless potential of UConn College of Engineering (CoE) pupils were at the heart of a celebratory Undergraduate Scholarship Awards Reception held Thursday night at the UConn Alumni Center. 

Donors, industry partners, faculty, and staff gathered to meet the 170+ students that received a scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

Scholarships were made possible by community donors, emeritus faculty, industry representatives, and more. 

“Scholarships like these reduce the need for our students to work off-campus, or pursue work study positions,” says Dean of Undergraduate Education Daniel Burkey. “They can fully focus on their studies, taking advantage of all UConn Engineering has to offer.” 

Donors had the opportunity to meet the new UConn Engineering dean. 

“Your critical scholarships enable us to attract and retain bright minds, and enrich our community with diverse perspectives and innovative ideas,” says JC Zhao. “It not only strengthens our college, but also impowers us to create a world filled with possibilities.”  

Zhao shared his personal experiences with the transformative possibilities of education. He spent the first 10 years of his life living in a small village in China with no electricity.  

“My education gave me opportunities I never dreamed of,” Zhao said. 

He now holds three materials science and engineering degrees. 

Students Lexi Fazzino and Charley Ma, both mechanical engineering majors, also spoke about the impact of these scholarships. 

Fazzino explained her long-term interest in automotives, starting as a 3-year-old watching Jeep Wranglers driving past her house. 

“For someone who spent most of their life believing they could never be in the automotive industry, I really do believe we are all so much more than we think we are,” Fazzino said. “I think I speak for everyone here, but I am beyond grateful for everything UConn has given me.” 

Fazzino earned the Robert Jeffers Memorial Fund scholarship and the Pratt & Whitney Scholarship in Engineering. 

This year’s event was a more casual affair, complete with a UConn Dairy Bar sundae bar and a networking bingo card for the students to connect with each other, donors, faculty, and staff. 

A full list of the 2024 scholarship awardees is available online.