2022 Alfred I., Catherine J. and Elanor G. Switzer Scholarship, Nick Gray

“I am entering my third year at Northeastern University Boston campus! I am now studying environmental and sustainability sciences with a concentration in environment and society. I have integrated into Boston culture in many ways, it feels great to share them because I often forget how much I have learned since coming here. I take the T (train) almost every day, I attend Red Sox games, and spend a lot of my free time exploring the many neighborhoods that Boston has to offer. 

My studies have furthered my passion for the environment and sustainability. I have received a great education so far from acclaimed professors that are involved in sustainability work beyond the borders of campus, Massachusetts, and even globally. Currently, I am on co-op (a 6 month long internship that is part of Northeastern’s curriculum) at an environmental non-profit in Cambridge, MA called Green Cambridge. I am about halfway through and it has been a pleasure learning how to work in an office space as well as practice hands-on sustainability work within a community.

I also just moved to Boston’s iconic North End, which is home to Little Italy. I moved in with two of my closest friends which has been a lifesaver! In the dorms over the last two years, I was not close with my roommates which, to me, sometimes felt like a piece missing from my college experience. Now that I am close with my roommates, and have my own room in an apartment that I pay rent for, it feels so different coming home. The North End has iconic Italian food, culture, and some of the world’s most famous pastries such as Mike’s cannoli’s. 

Going to school in a place so far away has been an amazing experience. Of course I miss my friends and family from home very deeply, but I have learned and grown so much in the last two years and for that I am so grateful. I am so grateful to the Community Foundation for believing in me and my accomplishments!“

2023 The Towru Kobara Scholarship Fund, Kian Rafian

“Looking back on my first semester, I’m most grateful for the variety of experiences and opportunities. I owe my exciting and balanced first semester in large part to the Towru Kobara Scholarship, which provided and continues to provide me the financial stability to explore extracurriculars that interest me, as well as the motivation to excel academically and positively impact the community around me.

With my goal to pursue a career in renewable energy, beyond my gen eds, I elected to take an upper-division energy systems course. This course reinvigorated my passion and commitment to the environment and our climate. With the help of the Towru Kobara Scholarship, I was also able to

join and spend 20 hours a week working on the UC Berkeley Solar Vehicle Team. In my spare time, I enjoyed rock climbing, swimming, and friends. Thanks to this scholarship, I was able to immerse myself in my academic and extracurricular activities, earning a 4.0 and also being elected to be the next battery subteam lead for Berkeley Solar Car starting my sophomore year.

I am sincerely honored to be a recipient of this scholarship and I’m committed to making the most of it!”