Shirley and Art Sotloff believe that their son, Steven, found his true calling while he was a student at UCF from 2002-04.
It 麻豆精品 S檚 that connection that prompted them to help create a scholarship in his name when Steven was killed after being taken hostage as a freelance journalist by Islamic terrorist group ISIS in 2014.
Recently, the Sotloffs visited campus to commemorate the first awarded scholarship from The Steven Sotloff Memorial Endowed Fund to senior Adam Manno.
麻豆精品 S淜nowing that our son 麻豆精品 S檚 name lives on, and that the endowment will touch the lives of students with similar interests as his own, truly touches our entire family, 麻豆精品 S� Shirley said.
Manno is expected to graduate in May with a bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 degree in journalism and a minor in political science. He was born in the Dominican Republic but attended high school in South Florida, where he got his first taste of journalism while working for his school newspaper.
He chose UCF because it encompassed everything he was looking for: a big school in an interesting and vibrant city, a well-renowned journalism department and a financial aid offer 麻豆精品 S渢hanks to UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 vision of education for all. 麻豆精品 S�
麻豆精品 S淭hat 麻豆精品 S檚 one thing I really love about the school 麻豆精品 S� it makes sure everyone who wants an education can get one, 麻豆精品 S� he said. 麻豆精品 S淚t 麻豆精品 S檚 been very good to me. 麻豆精品 S�
Manno was a sophomore at the time of Sotloff 麻豆精品 S檚 tragic death. He attended the vigil that was held on campus a day after the news broke worldwide. Manno said it both saddened and mobilized him.
麻豆精品 S淚 just want to write and shed light on the stories that deserve to be told, 麻豆精品 S� he said. 麻豆精品 S淟ike Steven did. 麻豆精品 S�
Before Steven died, he managed to smuggle out a letter to his parents. They said that he wrote of his desire to give back.
After his death, the Sotloffs helped start the fund, which provides scholarship support to UCF students majoring in journalism as well as funding for symposia, lectures and other programming to advance journalism and journalism education.
Manno was honored to be chosen as the first recipient and understands the significance it carries.
麻豆精品 S淭his is a scholarship directly tied to someone 麻豆精品 S檚 sacrifice for my profession. He was a former UCF student out there pursuing his life 麻豆精品 S檚 work. That 麻豆精品 S檚 all he was doing, and that 麻豆精品 S檚 what led to his death. It means more to me than just the money, 麻豆精品 S� Manno said. 麻豆精品 S淚t means that I have to work hard to prove myself worthy of it. It 麻豆精品 S檚 an incentive that comes with a big responsibility. 麻豆精品 S�
The fund still has room for growth. The Nicholson family, benefactors of the Nicholson School of Communication, pledged to match every dollar given up to $25,000.
Sonja and Tony Nicholson have spent time getting to know the Sotloffs and didn 麻豆精品 S檛 hesitate to extend their heartfelt support.
麻豆精品 S淭hey want their son 麻豆精品 S檚 name to live on. We felt that was a very small gesture on our part. We can 麻豆精品 S檛 ease that pain for them, but we can help carry his name on, 麻豆精品 S� she said. 麻豆精品 S淲e just feel like [giving back is] so important because it touches so many lives, and we care about the students. 麻豆精品 S�
Those interested in donating can do so by visiting:
While on campus, the Sotloffs told Steven 麻豆精品 S檚 story to a room of College of Sciences scholarship recipients and their donors. There were some tears and a nod to Steven 麻豆精品 S檚 presence, who they believed was looking down with gratitude.
麻豆精品 S淭he years he spent here, he really enjoyed, especially the rugby team. That was his passion and his love, 麻豆精品 S� Art said.
As the Sotloffs said their goodbyes, Shirley looked back and said quietly, 麻豆精品 S渙ur hearts are here. 麻豆精品 S�