Hi Adam Leitman Bailey!

I graduated and I can officially call myself a Rutgers alumni like you! After graduation and my brief break, I quickly began to prepare myself for PA school and attended my first orientation at Mercy College today–I begin classes this Friday. It has been a long and hard four years but I finally did it by God’s grace, the support of my family and friends, and of course, your generous donation and encouragement throughout.

Let me first start by saying I am honored to be the first recipient of the Raymond ‘Hap’ Harrison Scholarship. Thanks to your generous support, I have obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Biology at a fine and distinguished institution at Rutgers University. By awarding me this scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden which allowed me to place emphasis on the most essential aspect of school, learning. I do hope that one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.

I cannot help but wonder though what if Hap retired the following year I graduated? Or what if you did not join the track team in high school? Or what if I did not go to Rutgers? The list can go on and on but the point is that I probably would not have met such a wonderful, generous, and kindhearted person like yourself. I can probably speak for the other recipients of the scholarship when I say that you have been an exemplary role model and a terrific mentor. Despite your hectic and demanding schedule, you continuously strive for our success by providing scholarships, internships, and possible job opportunities. It is truly admirable to see the way you have touched so many lives and for that I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know you these past few years. Once again, I offer my sincerest thanks for your continued generosity to the Raymond ‘Hap’ Harrison Scholarship.

I know your summer is being quickly filled with different events but I would love to take you out to dinner with my family here sometime, if possible. Let me know if you can make a trip out here sometime!

Best regards,

Merlyn