In May of 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and Avnet announced a $1 million commitment to scholarships for Arizona college-bound STEM students over the next four years. D-backs Avnet Scholars, in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul, provides up to a four-year scholarship for high-potential, first-generation Arizona students in pursuit of a STEM field college degree. On May 5, the D-backs and Avnet surprised the inaugural class of D-backs Avnet Scholars with a reception at Chase Field including their family and friends. In addition to their scholarship, each scholar received a custom jersey, a new laptop, backpack, headphones, and $500 gift card for school supplies. Each scholar also received complimentary tickets to D-backs home games!
Presenting the 2023 class of D-backs Avnet scholarships - Derrick Hall, D-backs, President, CEO and General Partner with Phil Gallagher, Avnet Chief Executive Officer - Beth McMullen, Avnet Senior Vice President of Global Operations - Max Chan, Avnet Chief Information Officer - Dayna Badhorn, Avnet Regional President of Americas - with Shannon Clancy, Chief Executive Officer of St. Vincent de Paul, Stacy Cotroneo, Vice President of the Board for St. Vincent de Paul and Andy Romley, Development Officer and inspiring leader of the scholarship program:
The D-backs and Avnet congratulate the 2023 D-backs Avnet Scholars:
- William Bolanos - Construction and Engineering Management at Arizona State University
- Ximena Gonzalez - Computer Science Software Engineering major at Arizona State University
- Paola Gaxiola - Forensic Psychology at Barrett The Honors College at ASU
- America Haro Ortega - Mathematics at Arizona State University
- Zach Kaesberg - Nursing at Northern Arizona University
- Letina Kiflemariam - Nursing at Northern Arizona University
- Samantha Lopez - Conservation Ecology at Arizona State University
- Bryan Martinez - Aerospace Engineering at Arizona State University
- William Najera - Aerospace Engineering at ASU’s Polytechnic Campus
- Deborah Palomino Lopez - Nursing at Arizona State University
- Evelyn Rodriguez Aguilar - Animation at Arizona State University
- Daylene Sanchez - Accounting at Arizona State University
- Debby Suarez - Health Solutions and Speech Pathology at Barrett The Honors College at ASU
- Adrian Villegas - Engineering at Arizona State University