SBU Alum Creates Scholarship Fund

St. Bonaventure University alumnus Thomas Marra, ’80, and his wife, Michelle, have made a donation to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to fund a one-time scholarship for a Southwestern High School graduate who plans to attend St. Bonaventure University.

“We wanted to show our support for both Southwestern High School and St. Bonaventure, so this gift will highlight the commitment to excellence of both institutions,” said Marra, a native of Jamestown, N.Y., and alumnus of Southwestern. Marra is the president and CEO of Symetra Financial Corporation in Bellevue, Wash.

“The Southwestern High School family is very grateful to Tom and Michelle for this gift, and we are very happy it will help one of our students to attend such a fine institution as St. Bonaventure,” said Michael Cipolla, principal of Southwestern High School. Cipollo is also a 1999, 2003, and 2005 graduate of St. Bonaventure.

The $2,500 scholarship will be awarded by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to a member of the Southwestern Class of 2012 who plans to enroll at St. Bonaventure in the fall of 2012. Prospective applicants interested in learning more about the scholarship can contact the Southwestern Central School Guidance Office or the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation office at 418 Spring St., Jamestown, N.Y. 14701; by calling 716 661-3394; or sending an email to llynde@crcfonline.org.

“Tom and Michelle have done so much to support St. Bonaventure, and this most recent gift is yet another example of their generosity and commitment to student success,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., president of the University. “We will be delighted to welcome the Marra Scholar to our campus next fall.”

Pictured, from left, Southwestern Principal Michael Cipolla, Tom Marra and Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Executive Director Randall Sweeney are pictured in front of the historic Devereux Hall at St. Bonaventure University.