Henry Salvatori and his wife, Grace Ford, with a USC student in 1984.
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Salvatori Scholarships Reward Volunteerism
By Kaitlin Solimine
July 2004
Industrialist and long-time USC trustee Henry Salvatori deeply believed
that service is each individual citizen’s responsibility. It was upon
this idealistic bedrock that he established the Grace Ford Salvatori
Community Scholarship Fund in honor of his late wife’s longtime
association with USC College’s Joint Educational Project (JEP).
The scholarship, which was established in 1991, is given annually to as
many as six College students who best exemplify Salvatori’s
community-minded spirit. Salvatori died in 1997 at the age of 96.
“Salvatori believed that through service, young people become invested
in the community, feel responsible for it and care more about the
issues affecting society,” says Tammy Anderson, director of JEP.
This year, the scholarship was awarded to Jacqueline Deelstra,
Elizabeth DiGiacomo, Patricia Gonzalez and Rivka Katz, each of who are
extremely dedicated to community service and have all volunteered
through JEP.
The recipients all recognize the inherent benefits of volunteering.
Katz, a College junior who is an international relations and cinema
major, says that participating in volunteer programs has significantly
added to her education.
Deelstra, a junior who majors in international relations and print
journalism, agrees.“In volunteering, I get the chance to connect with
the community and understand what goes on around here,” she says. “It
has made college a life experience, not just an academic experience.”
“It’s easy to get caught up in a daily routine when you’re in college,”
says College sophomore and history and communications major DiGiacomo.
“But when you volunteer, you feel really fulfilled and grounded. It
gives you a whole new perspective on life.”
Gonzalez, a junior psychology and occupational therapy major, has a more personal motivation.
“I grew up just a few blocks away from USC’s campus,” she says. “So
when I’m working with these local kids, I feel like I’m giving back to
a ‘little me.’ There is just so much of a need to give back around
here.”
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