Western New York Ford Dealers have awarded the Buffalo ADI Ford Dealers Cooperative Scholarship to Eric Fiorello, a Buffalo State first-year student. The scholarship entitles Fiorello to four years of undergraduate education paid in full.

“The WNY Ford Dealers believe in the importance of investing in the academic community to benefit the future of the Western New York area,” said Peter Delacy, scholarship selection committee, Western New York Ford Dealers. “The goal of our partnership with Buffalo State is to ensure that higher education is accessible to young people who otherwise might struggle to afford it.”

The partnership began in 1994, when local Ford Dealers made a major donation to the college—two all-new Ford vehicles. The college sold raffle tickets at various school events during the year and invested the ticket sales into an endowment fund. The fund matured in 1998, allowing the college to award the first Buffalo ADI Ford Dealers Cooperative Scholarship to a deserving student.

“We at Buffalo State College are grateful for the Ford Dealers’ support of our students,” said Susanne Bair, vice president for institutional advancement. “Partnerships with local businesses are crucial to the mission of the college to not only educate our students, but to meet the needs of our community.”

The 2010 scholarship recipient, Eric Robert Fiorello of Cheektowaga, entered Buffalo State this August as a technology education major. “A huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders thanks to the Western New York Ford Dealers,” said Fiorello. “I won’t have to worry about the financial burden a college education would have on my mother, or be forced to work additional hours to cover the costs. This scholarship will provide me with a college experience that will open the doors to many opportunities that would otherwise not be available to me.”

The Buffalo ADI Ford Dealers Cooperative Scholarship is awarded to an incoming student every four years, covering his or her tuition for four years of undergraduate education at Buffalo State. To date, more than $55,000 has been awarded to students. Students must be enrolled in the All College Honors Program to be eligible for the scholarship.

“Buffalo State is filled with many promising students who will undoubtedly achieve great things in life,” said Kevin Mulcahy, dean, School of the Professions. “Following in the footsteps of past scholarship recipients, I am confident that Mr. Fiorello will take advantage of this gift from the Western New York Ford Dealers and become a star in the technology education program.”

Buffalo ADI Ford Dealers Cooperative Scholarship past recipients include Stephanie A. Zajfert Savino, Kristen M. Hamner, and Sara A. Knapp.

“We never dreamed of this kind of outcome when we planted the seed for the Buffalo ADI Ford Dealers Cooperative Scholarship nearly 25 years ago,” said Delacy. “All past scholarship recipients have chosen to give back to their communities by following careers in the field of education. Our goal to make a difference through an academic investment has really come full circle.”

Pictured (left to right): Susanne Bair, vice president, Institutional Advancement; Kevin Mulcahy, interim dean, School of the Professions; scholarship recipient, Eric Fiorello; and Andrea Guiati, program coordinator, All College Honors, and SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor.