Growing up in a family of five with only one source of income is tough, especially when three family members are attending college simultaneously—and during an economic downturn. This was reality for Frederick Núñez, who completed a BBA in finance and investments this spring.
“Without the scholarship, getting through college would have been much more difficult,” he says. “The Nadja Fidelia Scholarship helped me pay for basics: transportation, books, and food.”
That Núñez should pursue a college degree was never in question, even when his father was laid off and struggled to find work (he has since found work as a custodian at John Jay College). Núñez’s parents, immigrants from the Dominican Republic, instilled in their three children the importance of earning a college degree and striving for a better life.
With the help of scholarships and public financial aid, all three Núñezes have been able to attend college: Brother Jenkee graduated from Binghamton University in 2011; sister Angie will graduate from Lehman College in 2014.
“Baruch College is one of the most respected, highly ranked, and affordable schools in the country. That alone should be enough to inspire gratitude,” Núñez says, “but my gratitude also extends to Ms. Fidelia for her generosity and understanding of how difficult it can be for students like me, who struggle to pay for even the basics but who try to better themselves with an education. Ms. Fidelia played a big part in helping me make that happen.”
Núñez hopes one day to pay it forward to a future student.
—Manny Romero
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