A $75,000 scholarship award commitment from a Hobart and William Smith Colleges alumnus has established three scholarships worth $25,000 apiece over five years to support student access to a liberal arts education.
John D. Roberts Jr., a 1975 graduate, created the Annual Fund scholarships after a career that he said reinforced the value of communication, critical thinking and lifelong learning.
Roberts worked in paper distribution, envelope production and packaging. He said his liberal arts education proved especially useful when workplace decisions depended on persuading others to support an idea or change direction.
The alumnus has also helped connect HWS students with internships at Gateway Investment Partners, a real estate development firm. He said the students' preparation and the colleges' emphasis on career services impressed him.
Roberts returned to campus for his 50th reunion and cited the direction of the colleges under President Mark D. Gearan as another reason for his support.
He described the scholarships as an investment in future students who are still determining their interests and career paths.
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