2020 2020: James Karam Scholarship Fund awards $50,000 in UMass scholarships to 10 SouthCoast students

Awards honor students’ academic achievement and community engagement

The James J. Karam Scholarship Fund has awarded 10 current and incoming University of Massachusetts students more than $50,000 in scholarships. The scholarships are awarded annually to SouthCoast students who distinguish themselves through their campus and community engagement activities and strong academic performance.

Business leader and former Board of Trustees Chairman James Karam and his wife, Janis Karam, established the James J. Karam Scholarship Fund in 2013.

“During these trying times, it is especially important to support our hardworking SouthCoast UMass students in any way we can,” Jim Karam said. “I am confident that these exceptional students will continue to distinguish themselves in their academic careers at UMass and in their professional careers beyond.”

UMass President Marty Meehan praised the Karam family’s unwavering support for UMass and offered praise for the student honorees.

“By giving their time, talents and resources to create pathways of opportunity for deserving students, Jim and Janis Karam represent the very best of the UMass community,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “Our Karam Scholarship recipients are some of our brightest students and I am happy to congratulate them on this well-deserved honor.”

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

• Emanuele Abi-Younes, New Bedford – Emanuele is a junior at UMass Amherst studying chemical engineering and is a graduate of New Bedford High School.
• Samuele Abi-Younes, New Bedford – Along with her sister, Samuele is a sophomore at UMass Amherst studying economics and is a graduate of New Bedford High School.
• Peter DaCosta, New Bedford – A medical student at UMass Medical School in Worcester, Peter is a graduate of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and the medical laboratory science program at UMass Dartmouth.
• Savanha Laroche, Fall River – Savanha is a first-year student at UMass Dartmouth who plans to study nursing and is a graduate of BMC Durfee High School.
• Chloe Morgado, New Bedford – Chloe is a first-year student at UMass Amherst who plans to study political science/pre-law and is a graduate of New Bedford High School.
• Kyle Neves, Fall River – Kyle is a sophomore at UMass Amherst studying political science and is a graduate of BMC Durfee High School.        
• Jaely Pereira, Swansea – Jaely is a senior at UMass Boston with a biology pre-med major and a minor in Asian American studies. She is a graduate of Westport High School.
• Carly Sherman, Westport – Carly is a junior at UMass Amherst studying natural resources conservation and is a graduate of Bishop Stang High School.
• Lannie Wrightington, Fall River – Lannie is a junior at UMass Lowell studying English and is a graduate of Somerset Berkley Regional High School.
• Athena Xifaras, Fairhaven – Athena is a first-year student at UMass Amherst who plans to study psychology and is a graduate of Fairhaven High School.

Originally from Fall River, James Karam graduated from UMass Dartmouth in 1971 before becoming the President and founder of First Bristol Corporation in 1975. First Bristol Corporation has developed retail shopping centers, hotels and office buildings throughout southern New England. In addition, Mr. Karam co-owns the WSAR and WHTB radio stations.

For 10 years, Mr. Karam served on the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees, including four years as Chairman. During his time on the Board, Mr. Karam played a leading role in initiating a multi-billion-dollar capital plan across all five UMass campuses and the creation of UMass Dartmouth Law School.