2011 Reception

A clear, bright day on the twenty sixth of June set the stage for the 30th annual Susan Fund Reception. Once again the Unitarian Church provided a splendid background in which to honor this year’s thirty recipients. As a Board member, I have attended this event for more than 10 years; each year I am impressed with the grit and determination displayed by these students. Each year I am delighted to meet their families and friends and share in their joy at being recognized by The Susan Fund.

Chairman of the Board, Ann Lloyd, welcomed the recipients, their families and friends. She introduced Jeff Keith, one of the first recipients of a Susan Fund Scholarship and a new board member. Keith commented that "The Susan Fund's mission and reach extends beyond just financial assistance for cancer survivors going to college. For one day each year, individuals are rewarded for their personal battle with cancer by being selected as a scholarship recipient. This is a defining moment for these young men and women who go back out into the world with more confidence and self-esteem and the realization that their dreams can come true".

The next speaker was Samantha Dommermuth; she is completing her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology at Temple University. She is a graduate of UCONN and a 13 year cancer survivor. Samantha noted, “The Board members of The Susan Fund were with me throughout my four years at UCONN. When I decided to pursue my Masters, they were there by my side.

The Susan Fund began in 1982, in memory of Susan Lloyd, who was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of her senior year in high school. While Susan's college desire to attend college was never realized, her dream survives through the lives of The Susan Fund recipients.

Read 2010 Reception info here.    Read 2009 Reception info here.