Bay Path University

Although the President's Gala was not held this year, one thing remains the same at Bay Path: our students are at the heart of all we do. Thank you to our generous sponsors, Finish Line donors, advertisers, attendees, auction donors, volunteers, students, and sta昀 that supported this farewell to Dr. Carol and Noel Leary. You have helped us raise over $380,000 for our students! The President's Gala is the signature fundraising event of the year; all donations go to student scholarships and The Finish Line Fund, which provides critical 昀nancial support to our most vulnerable students. Through this fund, we are able to assist students to the 昀nish line so 昀nancial burdens, like tuition and other emergency expenses, do not remain obstacles to degree completion. Helping Our udents Get to the Finish Line. Ann Marie Webster '20 B.S. Business Administration, Paralegal Certi昀cate "As a student at The American Women's College, I would not be getting my degree if it weren't for The Finish Line Fund. Working two jobs, I just didn't have money to cover all the expenses this year. In September of 2017, my husband of 35 years was diagnosed with lung cancer. I stopped attending college and put my needs on the back burner to care for him. He lost his battle on September 11, 2018, but I know he is cheering me on as I graduate. I am so grateful for The Finish Line scholarship so that I can complete what I started in 2016." Samantha Budynkiewicz '21 B.S. Forensic Science "I am a 昀rst-generation college student and I have been working since I was sixteen years old to save money for college. I recently lost my father to stage four metastatic melanoma. The hospital bills kept coming in and by the end, it looked like I wasn't going to be able to continue with my education. When I was 昀rst noti昀ed I would be receiving The Finish Line scholarship, I was in absolute tears. I didn't think I would be coming back this semester. The fact that The Finish Line scholarship was awarded to me was the biggest relief of my life! Once you leave college it's so hard to get back in. Thank you for making it possible for me to continue my education." Marlene Tapia Reyes '20 B.S. Business Administration "As an independent woman, I was really struggling to pay tuition for my 昀nal semester. When I received Finish Line assistance, I felt so grateful. It meant I would be able to pay my tuition, focus on my classes and graduate. Thank you all for your amazing support and for believing in women's education. Because of you, I am going to be able to have my dreams come true." 38 Bay Pathway Spring/Summer 2020

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