10 RCC Science Students To Receive $2,500 Grants From Veolia

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Veolia, which operates more than 8,500 water and wastewater facilities and systems around the world including in the Hudson Valley, has given Rockland Community College $25,000 for 10 science students.

The grants will go to students in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

"It is very exciting," RCC President Lester Edgardo Sandres Rápalo told Patch. "As you know, one of my objectives is to amplify the STEM division."

The objective, Dr. Rapalo said, is to create more scientists and more graduates who understand science.

That makes this program a perfect match for Veolia, Bill Madden, Director, New York Communications and Government Affairs for Veolia North America, told Patch. "We are always looking for ways to align ourselves with organizations and groups that relate to environmental sustainability and conservation because we’re a world leader in the environmental services industry."

Madden, a longtime county resident, is a graduate and current vice-chair of Leadership Rockland. "I think this is another example of Veolia being an active and concerned public citizen in its service territory," he said.

Veolia Water New York, Inc. includes the former SUEZ Water New York, Inc. system in Orange and Rockland counties, the Heritage Hills system, and the former SUEZ Water Westchester system.

Dr. Rapalo said he was particularly happy for Dr. Melanie Rie, Dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; Joan Halligan, Executive Director of Development; and Jillian Decker, Associate Professor of Biology, for all their work and the chance to reward 10 of their hardest-working students.

A Veolia Scholars grant covers a half year of RCC's tuition, which will reduce financial constraints for the 10 recipients and help their educational journey remain uninterrupted, Dr. Rie said in an announcement about the initiative.

The chosen students will have gone through a rigorous vetting process, including demonstration of academic excellence, letters of recommendation and essays, Dr. Rapalo said.

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