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Press Releases | |
Mar 10, 2000
Contact:
Campus Joins Hands, Creates Scholarship for Fallen Student
Darren Johnson
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081Approximately 100 students, faculty and administrators formed a circle near the Southampton College windmill on Wednesday, March 8, to remember and talk about recent graduate Jason Vercelletto, who died of cystic fibrosis at the age of 22 on January 29.
Led by senior Allison Wright, Southampton College students had also raised $1000 this past week toward a scholarship in memory of Vercelletto. Only one month before his death, Vercelletto, who had a passion for the environment, received his B.S. degree in Marine Science.
His good friend and classmate John Petrone said, "I have never in all of my life seen such courage and fortitude displayed on a daily basis as that was displayed by Jay. Those of us who dormed with him saw the daily struggle he endured just to go to class. ? He endured massive drug therapy and numerous hospitalizations during his four years at Southampton. Throughout, Jay never complained to anyone. He just kept struggling, in pursuit of his ultimate goal, his degree. Those of us lucky enough to have known him can never repay him for the lessons he taught us about the capacities of the human spirit."
Those interested in contributing to the Jason Vercelletto Memorial Scholarship should contact the Alumni Office at Southampton College at (631) 287-8348.