Columbia College Chicago Announces The Elizabeth Frances Calabrese Memorial Scholarship

Elizabeth Frances Calabrese
Longtime adjunct faculty member Dominic Calabrese is establishing The Elizabeth Frances Calabrese Memorial Scholarship.

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This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark legislation that has helped increase access and opportunity for people with disabilities in our nation's workplaces and communities.

In celebration of ADA and to honor the memory of his mother who passed away in 2019, longtime adjunct faculty member Dominic Calabrese is establishing The Elizabeth Frances Calabrese Memorial Scholarship at Columbia College Chicago.

The $10,000 annual gift will be awarded to two students each year beginning in Spring 2021. Five thousand dollars will be awarded to an outstanding student who has a disability. Another $5,000 will be given to an outstanding student studying marketing, public relations, social media, or other fields related to communication.

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Reflecting on his mother's life, Calabrese said, "As a child of the Great Depression, my mom never had a chance to attend college. I thought a fitting way to honor her memory would be to establish these awards in her name."

Elizabeth Calabrese believed in giving. She donated generously to The Chicago Lighthouse, where Dominic served as the Senior Vice President of Public Relations for over 15 years. Through both scholarships, her legacy of helping those in need will continue. To ensure the gift's permanence, Dominic Calabrese has also included Columbia in his estate plans with a significant donation that would endow the scholarship at the time his gift is received.

"When our lives draw to a close and we look back," said Calabrese, "there is enormous satisfaction in knowing that you gave of yourself to help others and honored your loved ones in a special way."

Application for both awards open September 15. Eligible students must demonstrate academic merit and financial need. Students with disabilities may register through the office of Services for Students with Disabilities or provide documentation from their medical provider.

The spring application deadline for the Calabrese Scholarship is December 1. For more information, visit the Columbia Central's Scholarship page.

Did this story inspire you? Contact Development and Alumni Relations to learn more about establishing a scholarship or CLICK HERE to make a gift to a scholarship today.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Keisha Cowen
Senior Director of Campus Communications
kcowen@colum.edu
312-369-7025