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.”