KENNY GORDON FOUNDATION

KeNNY GORDON SCHOLARS AT

Begun in 1999 by family and friends in memory of Kenny Gordon ‘94.
The Kenny Gordon ‘94 Scholarship fund supports Skidmore students in the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). What follows is a listing of every KGF Scholar from 1999 to present.

2020-21: BAOMOU FENG

I plan to attend medical school upon graduating from Skidmore College. By awarding me this scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me achieve mine.

"Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community"

My greatest accomplishment at Skidmore is making close connections with the professors. They are really great people who have given me advice over the past three years. I can go and talk to them as a friend and not as a student. I can really trust and rely on them during difficult moments.

I have been a member of the Skidmore College Emergency Medical Service (SCEMS) since my first year. I have also volunteered at a hospice care facility in downtown Saratoga Springs since my first year. These two are important activities for me because it allows me to gain experience in the medical field. It also allows me to expose myself to real medical scenarios.

My dream is to become a doctor in the future. I plan to attend medical school after I graduate. This scholarship has provided me with the financial resources I need for my studies at Skidmore. Thank you for your generous support.

2019-20: DANIELA CARELA

I am beyond thankful for the financial assistance and feel extremely honored to have received this award. This award has been a reminder that simply being myself can go a long way. I came to Skidmore with one motto in mind-- to never let fear make any decisions for me.

As the daughter of two immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, I always knew college was something I wanted to pursue. However, financially it wasn't something my family could afford.

One of my greatest accomplishments here at Skidmore has been designing my major in Public Health. After taking a public health course I completely fell in love with the discipline. Public health is not a major here at Skidmore, but one of this school's perks is that it allows for students to create their own major.

I aspire to eventually get my master's degree in public health and continue my education in order to be better suited to see the change I want to see in the world. I want to be able to encourage healthy living especially to those families and individuals that lack access to resources and that are underrepresented. I dream to someday work at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). My ultimate goal is to help those that are in the most need by whatever means possible.

2015-18: JAMERLY DE LA CRUZ

Thank you so much for giving me access to these opportunities. I am finally becoming the person I was meant to be.

My greatest accomplishment at Skidmore was becoming an employee at the Tang Teaching Museum under Tom Yoshikami, Museum Educator for College and Public Programs. In this position, I have realized how important art is to me, how much I cherish it, and how much value it adds to the world. I've learned to think about the little things and what is needed at the moment of planning an event, as well as what it looks like to consider communities holistically. These are skills I can take anywhere and everywhere.

My ultimate goal is to one day look myself up on Wikipedia and have my description taking up a full paragraph of all the different things I've done and all of the positions I held. I want to one day own a museum, a successful blog, do research as an anthropologist, and have a mentorship program.

2014-17: FARHANA B. GHANI

Receiving the Kenny Gordon scholarship has made me feel both honored and appreciative towards everyone who has faith in my education here at Skidmore.

I was determined to complete my education and achieve big things in the future. I want to thank all the donors who took the time and dedication to donate to this scholarship because your donation has made such an impact in my life. I no longer have the tension of worrying about my loans and this definitely put both my family and myself at ease. Thank you for believing in me and having faith in my education. Thank you for allowing me the chance to show my father that I have achieved success just by receiving this scholarship. Thank you for showing me that I am capable of achieving even bigger things if I just have faith in myself, because life is too short to live in doubt. Although I still don't have my future figured out, I know that I am definitely headed towards the right path and this scholarship gave me hope that I am capable of achieving big things.

2013-16: ERIK J. SANDERS

I am really honored to have received this scholarship; it provides me with the opportunity to attend Skidmore college and take advantage of that opportunity to succeed academicall.y. This opportunity and graduating from Skidmore will set me up with a bright future and I'm extremely grateful for receiving this support.

My main reason for coming to Skidmore was academics. I’m a student first and an athlete second. I transferred from Bloomfield College because I felt like Skidmore would be a better fit for my future. Coming to Skidmore feels like coming home. I’ve always had a vision to play basketball overseas. I know the NBA isn’t realistic, but I’d like to give it a shot professionally overseas. I know basketball can’t last forever, so if it doesn’t work out I’ll have my business and economics degree. Thank you for this scholarship. It allows me to focus on my studies and get a full Skidmore experience with less financial worries. 

2012-14: Ronnell H. Evans

A Computer Science major with a minor in English and Creative Writing, Ronell was one of eight students selected for Skidmore's Scholars in Science and Mathematics (S3M) Program. Funded by the National Science Foundation, S3M Scholars have the opportunity to participate in a five-week summer research program. Candidates for the S3M Scholarships are selected on the strength of their high school performance. A program of study that is heavily weighted in the sciences, a high GPA, strongly supportive letters from science/math teachers, and evidence of passion from an applicant's essay and/or interview.

Ronnell is also one of the head tutors in Skidmore's Writing Center.

To the donors of the Gordon Scholarship, I would like to thank you for supporting my undergraduate pursuits. With your contribution, I am able to freely learn material that interests me and apply it to my life, friends, and family. From there, I hope to one day make a positive difference for the people in my community. 

2010-13:loren santana

I recently applied to various applied mathematical programs and have heard back from several. I plan to concentrate on Mathematical Biology. Eventually I hope to work for the government or the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis. I’d like to work on problems that incorporate math, but set to solve issues regarding climate change, disease control, and other factors challenging our physical environment.

My four years at Skidmore were the best experiences of my life, both academically and socially. I struggled with classes but I learned from them, I met people who will be in my life forever, and I grew as a person. There is no way that I could have attended Skidmore if it were not for the generosity of the many donors that help students like me. To all the donors, thank you for the time, effort, and resources you contribute to the Skidmore community. 

2009-12: CHI CHONG TAM

2008-11: HASEEB YOUNAS

2007-10: katherine garcia

Since graduating from Skidmore, I have explored various industries in search of my true calling. I have maintained a restaurant’s books as a bookkeeper, spread my love of culture and language by teaching Spanish, tutored children of low-income families, and ventured into the corporate world. I also volunteer for New York Cares and Far Corners Musical Theater Company. I’m still working on finding my niche—every day I am a step closer.

I’m immensely grateful to the Gordon family and the Kenny Gordon Foundation for their financial assistance. I continue to donate to Skidmore and I always designate it to the scholarship fund. The education I received is invaluable, and I try to do my part so many more are able to have the same opportunity. 

2006-9: EILIN M. NUNEZ

I was the first of my siblings to graduate from college. This has served as a motivator for my sisters to follow my path. I am currently looking into returning to school to earn a master’s in public policy so that I can help make a difference.

It is with great fondness that I remember my time at Skidmore because those were truly some of the best years of my life. It was because of the financial support that I had received from the Gordon family that I was able to travel the world, and became the well- rounded individual that I am today. The generosity and support provided to those lucky individuals can’t be measured. 

2005-8: VAUGHN K. GREENE

2005-7: WEN ZHANG

2004-6: Ibardo A. zambrano

Ibardo (in 2014): I’m starting my medical residency in June at the University of Pennsylvania. It was at Skidmore where I first got started with research and medicine, and I am extremely grateful to the Kenny Gordon Foundation. It was virtually impossible for me to go to Skidmore because of financial reasons, but I was given the chance to enroll and focus on my studies freely without worry.

Bottom-line, Skidmore has a very special place in my heart because it allowed me to and myself and set up a bright future. The generosity of donors such as the Kenny Gordon Foundation have a huge impact on the lives of students such as myself who may lack access to money and academic preparation to enter competitive colleges. And in the process, these students will go on to pursue their dreams, give back because they are grateful, and create a positive contribution to society. 

2003-4: Salome M. ruperty

As the first Kenny Gordon scholar, Salome holds a very special place in our hearts. We chose Salome from a list of extremely impressive students provided to us by Skidmore. Upon reading her essays we all walked away with the same feeling: this is exactly who Kenny would have chosen to receive this honor. She is one of the finest people you could ever hope to know and we are so honored to have her connected to Kenny's memory. 

Salome (in 2014): I must say that I feel truly blessed to have been chosen as the first Kenny Gordon scholar. The friendships I made, and the experiences I had at Skidmore are invaluable. Receiving this scholarship was an honor, and the Gordo family lives in my heart until this day. 

Today, I am a proud mother of two beautiful boys, Cristopher (11) and Cory (20 months). I am currently a social worker and working with the spinal cord injury population. I attend Lehman College and will graduate in May 2014 with a masters in social work.