SCHOLARSHIP
STORIES
DefIANt Scholars Program
The North East Community Foundation partnered with Ian Malesiewski to create a new DefIANt scholarship designed to empower, encourage and uplift local students. Ian, a North East native and athlete who sustained a spinal cord injury in 2016, is now a quadriplegic.
Since the day of the injury in a wrestling match, Ian fought to not just survive but thrive. By calling upon that same defiant spirit and work ethic that defined him as an elite football player and wrestler, he was able to transition from a hospital bed to graduating from Cathedral Prep in the top of his class and attending college.
The DefIANt Scholars Program is open to Erie County seniors, who have a physical or intellectual disability. “Students with disabilities face numerous challenges when pursing a higher education,” said Ian Malesiewski. “From physically navigating the new environment, to taking notes and completing assignments, university life is different for those with disabilities.”
DefIANt Scholars aims to make the transition to college less difficult. Its mission is to help aid the disabled community to break down barriers, stereotypes, and misconceptions inside and outside of the classroom.
Alumni Share Success
with Students
“My first year as a trustee, I attended the scholarship reception,” said Deb Murphy. “I was just so impressed with the funds being granted, the students and the need that I talked to Doug. We decided we wanted to be part of that and established the Douglas and Deborah Murphy Scholarship Fund.”
“At the time we went to Strong Vincent High School, it was probably one of the most vibrant high schools in the city,” said Doug Murphy. “Since then, the nature of the high school has changed and many of the current students do not have the advantages we had. We decided to establish our scholarship to give these students a chance at higher education.”
Having both graduated from the former Strong Vincent High School, the Murphys knew they wanted their scholarship to benefit the students who currently attend their alma mater which is now Erie High School.
“At the time we went to Strong Vincent High School, it was probably one of the most vibrant high schools in the city,” said Doug Murphy. “Since then, the nature of the high school has changed and many of the current students do not have the advantages we had. We decided to establish our scholarship to give these students a chance at higher education.”
The Frederick Douglass Scholarship
The Richardsons have been leaders in giving back to the community for decades. When Al retired, he planned to devote himself to volunteer work. Together, the Richardsons have given generously of their time and talent in addition to financially supporting numerous organizations and efforts to make Erie a better place.
Being great advocates of Erie’s public schools, Peggy and Al Richardson created the Frederick Douglass scholarship in 1997. “We founded and fund this scholarship as part of our calling to give back to others not so blessed,” said Al Richardson. “We want it to be an incentive for African American public-school students to apply their native intelligence and get a college education needed to fulfill their potential and have productive adult careers.”
The scholarship was name after Frederick Douglass, a self-educated man, who escaped slavery to speak out for abolition and social reform. As an adult, he co-founded an anti-slavery newspaper, and after the Civil War, was appointed to several government posts in Washington, DC. Later in life, he served as American Minister to Haiti.
The Frederick Douglass Scholarship helps African American youth in the city of Erie obtain a college education needed for productive, self-sustaining wage adult careers, thus following the example Frederick Douglass set of fulfilling their potential.
