NJIT SCHOLARSHIP

I read this article recently and thought I'd cover it in my blog as it is something close to my heart.  It involves the New Jersey Institute of Technology.  Michael and Kristina Gabelli have created a new scholarship with NJIT in honor of Sal Capriglione.
Sal was in fact Kristina's grandfather who was a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and remained active in the Air Force Association until his death at the age of 50 in 1969.  Sal Capriglione respected the commitment of young men and women who served in the armed forces and supported them at every opportunity.  After his untimely death, Chapter 190 of the Air Force Association was renamed the "Sal Capriglione Chapter."  The Sal Capriglione Endowed Scholarship represents the three ideals that Sal held close to his heart: dedication to country, dedication to community and love of family & friends.

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 490 was established in 1949 at the Newark College of Engineering in Newark, New Jersey.  The Newark College of Engineering transformed into the NJIT while always supporting the Air Force ROTC mission.  Its mission is to develop quality leaders for the Air Force.  Through intense leadership training and Aerospace Studies coursework cadets earn the opportunity to join the world's finest Air Force.  Cadets from Detachment 490 have gone on to serve in a range of career fields, from designing the leading edge computer and space systems to flying the world's newest jet aircraft.
Detachment 490 offers cadets a focused training environment that instills the values of integrity, services before self and excellence.  These values help to develop the type of well rounded officers the Air Force is seeking.  In addition, cadets often participate in numerous activities and organisations  that reach out to the local community while strengthening the skills necessary to benefit their careerist the military.  Detachment 490 staff are called the Cadre and are comprised of officer and enlisted personnel.  A typical Air Force ROTC Cadre consists of a Detachment Commander, Operations Flight Commander, Recruiting Flight Commander, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Personnel and a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Administration Management.

NJIT is one of the oldest and largest professional engineering schools in the United States.  NJIT offers 9 undergraduate degree programs, 23 masters and 9 doctoral degree programs.  The 150 member faculty includes engineers and scholars who are widely recognized in their fields. NJIT is a global leader in such fields as solar research, nanotechnology, resilient design, tissue engineering and cybersecurity.

In respect of the new scholarship Michael Gabelli added, "Our goal is to provide financial assistance for deserving students who embody the ideals, values and principles that guided Sal's life.  We look forward to helping these students at NJIT achieve their goals for several years to come."

Kristina Gabelli, Sal's grand-daughter, commented, "We are thrilled to make this commitment to NJIT, in honor of my grandfather Sal Capriglione.  Sal was an honourable man and throughout his life was devoted to helping the young men and women of the U.S. military.  We are proud to establish this scholarship fund in his name that will provide opportunities to well-deserving NJIT students."

NJIT's Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations, Kenneth Alexo Jr added, " For so many of our talented and hardworking students, the chief obstacle standing between them and a degree from NJIT is not academic but financial.  I want to thank Michael and Kristina Gabelli for their generosity and leadership in establishing this scholarship in memory of Sal Capriglione - and for helping us maintain the affordability of an NJIT education for all deserving students and their families."

This is a great gesture by the Gabelli's and on that will sadly go largely unnoticed.  It is scholarships like these that help our young men and women to aspire within jobs in our military and in the private sector.  I hope you can take the time to read the article and promote the story within your social media  profiles in order to encourage these worthwhile partnerships between academia and private citizens.

Michael and Kristina Gabelli establish new scholarship at NJIT in honor of Sal Capriglione