FAU’s Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program Receives $108,350 from the Rotary Club of Boca Raton
Neasha Prince, Jan Savarick, Aubrey Strul, Neil Saffer, Kendra Flash
Boca Raton, FL – The Florida Atlantic University Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program recently was awarded $108,350 by the Rotary Club of Boca Raton. The donation stems from the club’s 21st Annual Outstanding People and Leaders (OPAL) Awards fundraiser, where Aubrey and Sally Strul, co-founders of the Kelly/Strul program, were honored for their commitment to education and mentorship.
“With generous support from organizations like the Rotary Club of Boca Raton, we are able to continue our work supporting first-generation scholars at FAU,” said Aubrey Strul.
Co-founded with FAU President John Kelly and First Lady Carolyn Kelly, the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program provides financial resources and personal support to help first-generation students through college. Through the program, students receive tuition, four-year on-campus housing, meal plans and additional supplies needed to graduate debt-free from FAU. From acceptance through graduation, every scholar follows an established path to ensure success. Through The Path, supplementary tools, including career planning, mentoring and financial literacy, among others, are provided to prepare recipients for successful collegiate careers and meaningful post-graduate lives.
The annual OPAL awards, created to raise funds for scholarships and mentoring by the Rotary Club of Boca Raton, honored eight philanthropists and collectively raised $220,000. Other awardees included Place of Hope founder and CEO Charles Bender III and B’nai Torah’s Rabbi David Steinhardt, among others.
“Serving our community and our future leaders is part of our motto, ‘Changing Lives, Building Futures,’” said Neil Saffer, member of the The Rotary Club of Boca Raton board of directors during the check presentation. “We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with Aubrey and Sally Strul on such a wonderful initiative.”
In 2017, the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program accepted its first four students. Since then, the program has grown exponentially, accepting 20 new scholars in 2018. This year, FAU expects to award at least 20 new students.
Donations supporting first-generation scholars’ success are welcome online atkellystrulscholars.fau.edu/give/ or by calling (561) 297-1272.
About the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program
By addressing systemic barriers and challenges, the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program provides full grant and scholarship financial aid packages, as well as comprehensive support programs to ensure students thrive at Florida Atlantic University. The program helps students develop valuable college success strategies, build confidence, understand their first-generation identity, connect to peer and professional mentors, and access campus resources which prepare them for a successful college career and meaningful post-graduate life.
