Program Founder Stephen H. Can Visits Class for Reception at Jefferson Community College
WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2022-2023 members of the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars program.
The new class of 30 scholars was recently honored during a fall reception at Jefferson Community College. Program founder and Jefferson Community College alumnus Stephen H. Can delivered remarks and met this year’s students.
The Community Foundation administers the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars program in collaboration with Mr. Can and the Jefferson Community College Foundation. The Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program awards high school seniors who are in the top 15 percent of their graduating class a merit-based scholarship of a total of at least $1,200 for the first year of study at Jefferson Community College. Since its inception in 2007, the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars program has provided scholarships totaling approximately $1.6 million, supporting 759 students.
“This program represents a deep and long-standing commitment to help local students begin their educational journeys and recognizes their hard work and achievements,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “Through this partnership, the overall investment through the past 15 years is substantial and would not be possible without Mr. and Mrs. Can. Their desire and willingness to give back in the community where they got their start, as well as their interest in every single student’s story, is inspiring.”
Mr. Can is a former senior advisor to the Blackstone Group. He is the past executive chairman and founder of Strategic Partners, joining the investment bank DLJ (Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette) in 2000 as a managing director. He is the former executive chairman of Strategic Partners, Blackstone Group’s $31 billion private equity business. A founding member of Strategic Partners, he transitioned from co-head to executive chairman in February 2019. Mr. Can earned an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Jefferson Community College in 1980; a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, in Accounting from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1982; and a Master of Science in Finance from the Krannert Business School at Purdue University in 1984 where he was named outstanding graduate instructor. Mr. Can subsequently earned a Certified Public Accountant license and Certified Management Accountant and Certified Financial Manager designations. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Pamela A. Can.
The following Jefferson and Lewis County students are 2022-2023 Jefferson-Can Community Scholars:
- Kaydence A. Allen, Belleville-Henderson Central School
- Julia K. Askins, Watertown High School
- Kadice Bach, Carthage Central School
- Hannah E. Cooley, Carthage Central School
- Olivia M. Cratsenberg, LaFargeville Central School
- Sawyer J. Davis, South Jefferson Central School
- Jonah S. Dunn, General Brown Junior-Senior High School
- Rebecca M. Farrell, Lyme Central School
- Karsyn L. Fields, General Brown Junior-Senior High School
- Hayden M.J. Gates, Watertown High School
- Davi S. Harris, Lyme Central School
- Jacob A. King, General Brown Junior-Senior High School
- Caitlyn N. Lewis, Indian River Central School
- Elizebeth L. Lowther, Indian River Central School
- Leah A.P. Luce, Watertown High School
- Joshua K. Marra, Watertown High School
- Nathan L. McNulty, Watertown High School
- Morgan E. Moser, Beaver River Central School
- Emily S. Parker, General Brown Junior-Senior High School
- Devin T. Parlati, Carthage Central School
- Malana Pominville, Beaver River Central School
- Lillian D. Reape, Indian River Central School
- Charles H. Rogers, South Jefferson Central School
- Paige E. Soules, Carthage Central School
- Grace N. Thornthwaite, Carthage Central School
- Annika L. VanWormer, South Jefferson Central School
- Jayda S. Walker, Watertown High School
- Eric C. Waterhouse, Carthage Central School
- Samantha A. Yodice, General Brown Junior-Senior High School
- Taylor Zubrzycki, Lowville Academy & Central School
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.