Patriot Bank, which has a branch in Darien, has awarded a $15,000 grant to support student scholarships at Housatonic Community College.
The Patriot Bank Scholarship Award will aid students with proven academic performance and demonstrated financial need, the Housatonic Community College Foundation said in an announcement about the gift.
Additionally, on learning about the heightened food insecurity and housing crisis facing many Housatonic Community College (HCC) students, the bank pledged an additional $1,000 per month of support.
Photo from HCC
From left: Kristy Jelenik, Patriot Bank executive vice president; Chief Compliance, Risk Officer Judith Corprew,;CEO and Patriot Bank President Rob Russell; and HCC CEO Dr. Dwayne Smith
Along with helping students facing housing emergencies, the college operates an on-campus food pantry funded by the HCC Foundation and provides students with nutritious food options and basic necessities to help them stay focused on their education.
“Patriot Bank recognizes food insecurity and housing needs are obstacles to academic performance, retention, and graduations,” said Rob Russell, president and CEO of Patriot. “Like HCC’s Foundation, Patriot is committed to the success of the communities we serve and we are honored to partner with Dr. Smith, Kristy Jelenik and the Housatonic Foundation who share the same mission to help everyone succeed,” Russell said.
Patriot Bank and Housatonic have a longstanding partnership. The community-focused bank, with Connecticut branches in Fairfield and New Haven counties, provides the college with a financial literacy website, workshops, and educational panels for students, and placed a no-fee ATM on campus.
Photo from HCC
HCC Student Koffi Gnamien, seated; standing, from left: Rob Russell, CEO and Patriot Bank president; Judith Corprew, Patriot executive vice president; and Steven Grunblatt, executive vice president and chief information officer.
Most recently, the bank began hosting HCC student interns. A high-performing, ambitious scholar Koffi Gnamien received hands-on valuable experience this past summer. Through this internship, Koffi learned about the financial institution’s digital forensic and incident response processes, and Cybersecurity controls.
“It was such a great experience at Patriot Bank where I was able to implement and see all the theorem and principles that we learned in school,” said Koffi, who is treasurer of the HCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity and hope this will continue in the future for some other students.”
“Patriot Bank is an incredible partner, and we are grateful for their generous support,” said Kristy Jelenik, executive director of the Housatonic Community College Foundation. “Their funding and engagement provide opportunities for motivated, high achieving students who would otherwise not have them in achieving a quality education and training needed for continuing education, rewarding careers and financial stability.”
HCC Student Koffi Gnamien, seated; standing, from left: Rob Russell, CEO and Patriot Bank president; Judith Corprew, Patriot executive vice president; and Steven Grunblatt, executive vice president and chief information officer.