2025-2026 Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Recognized During Fall Luncheon

Reception at Jefferson Community College Held for Recipients

   WATERTOWN — The 2025-2026 class of 32 Jefferson-Can Community Scholars was recently honored during a fall reception at Jefferson Community College.

   The Community Foundation administers the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars program in collaboration with Mr. Stephen H. Can and the Jefferson Community College Foundation.

   The Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program awards Jefferson and Lewis county high school seniors who are in the top 15 percent of their graduating class a merit-based scholarship to cover tuition 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 $1.9 million, supporting 856 students.

   “We are grateful to be able to administer this unique merit-based scholarship program that makes the first year of college tuition free for local students and is an investment in our community college,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “Because of this partnership with Mr. and Mrs. Can and the JCC Foundation, more students are considering staying local while meaningfully reducing the cost of the freshman year.”

   Mr. Can, New Hope, Pa., is a former executive chairman and founder of Strategic Partners, a Blackstone Group’s $31 billion private equity business, Manhattan. He 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. He lives in Pennsylvania and Florida with his wife, Pamela A. Can.

   To learn more about the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program and how to apply, contact Tara Hess, scholarship and program associate, tara@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110.

  The following Jefferson and Lewis County students are 2025-2026 Jefferson-Can Community Scholars:

• Alexandria Central: Rylynn J. Bain, Brayton T. Bradley, and Mason M. Savage
• Beaver River Central: Abigail L. Eisel and Carter J. Rice
• Belleville Henderson Central: Avery M. Pritchard
• Carthage Central: Tamia Cooley
• Copenhagen Central: Maddy S. Carroll
• General Brown Central: Raegan Burgenstock, Madelyn T. Ferris, Anthony T. LaSage, Haley M. Parker
• Immaculate Heart Central: Abigail D. Bombard
• Indian River Central: Katie E. Bleam, Amiah A. Hicks, Savannah E. Verne, and
  Richard J. Via
• LaFargeville Central: Morgan L. LaBow
• Lowville Academy and Central School: Nicholas Martin and Simeon M. Rush
• Lyme Central: Alyssa N. Coolidge
• South Jefferson Central: Elizabeth D. Hobbs, Abigail C. Rudd, and Nicholas Williams
• South Lewis Central: GracieLynn A. Black
• Thousand Islands Central: Ava M. Diabo, Emily E. Phinney, Tori Sampson
• Watertown High School: Lychelle L. Bagay, Luke A. Charlton, Nathaniel S. Otis, and Abigail Prior

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.