SouthCoast Students Win $45K in Renewable Scholarships

Nine students from Massachusetts' SouthCoast are heading back to college this year with a combined $45,000 in scholarship support, proving that hard work in the classroom and community really does pay off.

The James J. Karam Scholarship Fund awarded $5,000 to each student attending University of Massachusetts campuses. Five are receiving the honor for the first time, while four returning scholars are being rewarded for continuing to excel in their studies and civic engagement.

The students come from Fall River, New Bedford, Swansea, and Acushnet. They're pursuing everything from bioengineering and nursing to philosophy, sports management, and political science across UMass Amherst, UMass Boston, and UMass Dartmouth.

James Karam, who created the fund with his wife Janis in 2013, knows firsthand the power of public education. A UMass Dartmouth graduate himself, he served on the university's Board of Trustees for 10 years, including four years as chairman.

"For more than a decade, it has been an honor for my family and me to be able to support extraordinary young people who are doing great work across the UMass community," Karam said.

The Ripple Effect

This year marks the 14th year of the scholarship program, and the numbers tell an inspiring story. Since 2013, the Karam family has awarded $474,000 in scholarships to deserving students.

The renewable nature of these scholarships makes them especially valuable. Students who continue demonstrating excellence in academics and community service can count on this support year after year, letting them focus on their education instead of financial stress.

The Karam family's daughter, Alyssa, helps oversee the application and selection process, keeping the family tradition of supporting education alive for the next generation. James Julian Jr., CEO of the UMass Foundation, called the Karams "a model for how our supporters drive impact for our campuses."

Each scholarship recipient represents not just academic achievement but a commitment to making their communities better, a combination that promises bright futures ahead.