First-Generation Student Triumphs Over Adversity with Help from Professors’ Scholarship

"I will be the first person—man or woman—to graduate from college in my family. Because of the generosity of donors to our college, I have been given the tools to be successful. What donors do in creating opportunities for me and other students is beyond remarkable. I can genuinely say I have no words to describe all the emotions I am trying to process. I have the ability to pursue my dreams."

                                                                            DELSY JOYA-REYES ’17
                                                                            Scholarship recipient, Stony Point, NY

Delsy Joya-Reyes is a first-generation college student whose story of triumph over adversity includes help from a scholarship funded by Esmat and Marilyn Nouri, two longtime members of the SUNY Oneonta faculty.

With high financial need, Delsy never imagined herself continuing her education past high school—and both she and her family are extremely proud of the degree she earned in December 2017. In addition, Delsy overcame medical issues that almost caused her to drop out; instead, with support from her family and the college community, Delsy juggled nine classes the following semester to make up her work and graduate on time.

“Because of the generosity of donors to the college, I have been given the tools to be successful,” Delsy said in gratitude. “I have the ability to pursue my dreams.”

The Esmat and Marilyn Nouri Scholarship was created by Marilyn in her and her late husband’s names to benefit students like Delsy who conduct student-faculty research at SUNY Oneonta. In addition to Marilyn’s outright gift for the scholarship, both Esmat and Marilyn Nouri included the College at Oneonta Foundation in their wills to add to the endowed scholarship. This is a strong testament to our students, our college, and the College at Oneonta Foundation, coming from these professors who spent their careers serving our college and educating our students.

You, too, can help deserving students like Delsy. Please consider including a gift to the College at Oneonta Foundation in your will or estate plan. Your gift creates your lasting legacy and helps ensure that future generations of young people benefit from a SUNY Oneonta education, all without affecting your current finances.