Sixty area high school students have received a Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Award for their freshman year at Jefferson Community College (JCC), 2015-16, thanks to the generosity of Stephen H. Can, JCC alumnus ’80. Mr. Can, in partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation and the JCC Foundation, has supported more than 180 JCC freshman students over their past three-year partnership.
In 2013 Mr. Can, the JCC Foundation and the Northern New York Community Foundation partnered to strengthen scholarship opportunities available to the region’s top high school students – the scholars program awards first-year tuition scholarships to students from Jefferson and Lewis counties who graduate in the top 15% of their respective classes. Since its inception in 2007 as the Jefferson-Can Scholars program, inclusive of this year’s class, over 450 students have attended JCC tuition free for their freshman year and over $1 million dollars has been invested in area students. In addition, approximately 73 students will enroll this fall as Jefferson-Can Community Scholars.
In April, over 50 students gathered at the Italian American Club in Watertown, all of whom were greeted by Mr. Can and his wife, Pam as well as presenter Steve Fisher, retired General Brown coach, and his wife, Alice. Students shared their experiences as first-year students and discussed future plans at JCC and beyond. In total, over $120,000 was invested in this year’s class thanks to the partnership of Mr. Can, the JCC Foundation and the Community Foundation. The Jefferson-Can Community Scholars program will continue to be administered by the Northern New York Community Foundation.
Mr. Can, a high school graduate of General Brown, attended JCC and later earned a bachelor degree at SUNY Plattsburgh and then a master’s of science degree in finance from the Krannert Business School at Purdue University. Mr. Can also earned his Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant and Certified Financial Manager credentials. He is currently a Senior Managing Director at The Blackstone Group (NYSE:BX), and Fund Co-Head and Founder at Strategic Partners Fund Solutions, New York, New York.
2015-2016 Jefferson-Can Scholars recipients are:
Kemo Allen, Fort Drum Elexys Larson, Carthage Nicholas Arrigo, Port Leyden Ryan Loar, Theresa
Hailey Babcock, LaFargeville Cori Mainville, Carthage
Michael Bamann, Watertown Jaden Meeks, Clayton
Carly Barriger, Belleville Sadie Moran, Redwood
Kylee Beckstead, Philadelphia Calla Morrison, Castorland
Cassandra Birth, Black River Steven Naputi, Fort Drum
Christopher Bristow, Watertown Nicholas Nevala, Clayton
Megan Broyles, Watertown Chelsea Oakes, Watertown
Victoria Ciarfella, Redwood Zachary Perry, Watertown
Danielle Colwell, Sackets Harbor Brooke Reustle, Black River
Mark Corey, Watertown Mariah Rizzo, Watertown
Cole Coutermarsh, Theresa Paige Robinson, Adams Center
Levi Crestani, Calcium Drew Safford, Watertown
Noah Davidson, Philadelphia Garrett Schell, Watertown
Tyler Davis, Chaumont Ashley Seybolt, Theresa
Logan Eddy, Black River Kali Sherbino, Theresa
Connor Fayle, Lowville Caityn Slate, Adams Center
Bryce Fazio, Watertown Matthew Sundberg, Beaver Falls
Eric Gibbs, Watertown Abigail Tanner, Carthage
Stephanie Green, Watertown Joelee Tooley-Pilon, Watertown
Devon Griffiths, Watertown Nicholas Toutant, Calcium
Kiersten Guthro, Mannsville Ryan Ward, Dexter
Kaetlyn Hanlin, Watertown Casey Webb, Chaumont
Casey Hughes, Watertown Stephen Wilson, Dexter
Rebecca Hunt, Philadelphia Tameka Woodward, Carthage
Elisabeth Juczak, Adams Center Shyanne Yelle, LaFargeville
Alyssa Kamide, Carthage Angela Zielinski, Carthage
Lorraine Knipes, Adams
Zachary LaForest-Hurd, Philadelphia
James Lamson, Watertown
Kaitlyn Larkin, Clayton
The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through their legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions.