Giving
Three "Reasons" to give to scholarships at Geisel
Scholarships have been absolutely crucial to my education, especially as the first one in my family to attend a four-year college. Hopefully, in a number of years from now, I'll be able to provide similar assistance to students.
Nick Valentini '20 (D '13)
Hometown
Georgetown, Massachusetts
Undergrad Institution
Dartmouth College
Wow Factor:
A firefighter and EMT, Nick co-founded a community paramedicine program with classmate Karissa LeClair '21 and a local ambulance service during his first year at Geisel. The program provides in-home primary care check-ins by community paramedics for patients who have difficulty leaving their homes and are at risk for a health-related emergency.
I'm fortunate that my parents have good jobs, but Cabo Verde is a very poor country. Even a good job doesn't pay enough to afford an education in the U.S. Scholarships give me a peace of mind and lessen the financial burden I carry.
Leny Goncalves Dias '22
Hometown
Santiago Island, Cabo Verde
Undergrad Institutions
Bunker Hill Community College; Brandeis University
Wow Factor
Determined to become a physician, Leny came to the U.S. on her own after high school to learn English and pursue her education. She enrolled in Bunker Hill Community College in Boston for two years and finished her degree in biology at Brandeis University. Now, she is studying medicine and global health at Geisel, with the goal of one day working in medically underserved regions.
Sometimes my educational debt feels crippling. Knowing that there are alumni who care and help support me through scholarships makes a huge difference and is a major part of why I came to Dartmouth.
Arun Ponshunmugam '21 (D '17)
Hometown
Jacksonville, Florida
Undergrad Institution
Dartmouth College
Wow Factor
Arun has helped with human rights violation reports in Thailand, taught English in New Delhi, presented research ideas on ophthalmology at Aravind Eye Care in India, and explored opioid use disorder in rural New England by interviewing individuals in recovery. Arun plans to work at the intersection of global health, social entrepreneurship, and medicine.
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