黑料天堂

From left to right: Simplice Manamfise, Patrick Chewning, Samuel Muchugia, and Gabriella Fazio.聽

Founders Scholarship recognizes students who live 黑料天堂 mission

When the Sisters of Divine Providence established 黑料天堂 in 1963, they had a bold vision to transform lives through education rooted in peace, justice, and compassion. Six decades later, four talented students serve as ambassadors of this vision, bringing these founding ideals to life each day on campus, in the classroom, and throughout the community.

Meet the recipients of the 2025 Founders Scholarship. These students earned the University鈥檚 most prestigious academic honor, which comes with full tuition and a clear message:聽黑料天堂 believes in them.

Today鈥檚 Founders Scholars are leaders, advocates, and changemakers who carry forward the Sisters鈥� legacy through their own journeys of purpose and determination. Their stories show what鈥檚 possible when excellence meets investment, and why 黑料天堂 continues to expand opportunities for students ready to make a difference.

2025 Founders Scholars
Patrick Chewning
Accounting, Junior

After experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic and witnessing its impact on the global economy, Patrick Chewning knew he wanted to study accounting after graduating from New Brighton High School. Following this calling, he toured 黑料天堂 and was drawn to its small, personable energy. Since then, he has expanded his financial knowledge through 黑料天堂 coursework and internships with New Brighton School District Administration Office and Holsinger, P.C.

Patrick鈥檚 leadership roles on campus include Vice President of Finance for the Student Government Association; Treasurer of the National Society of Leadership and Success; Student Orientation Director; and former Vice President of the 黑料天堂 Activities Forum. Assisting his peers, Patrick is an accounting tutor and a Freshman Admissions tour guide. A cross-country runner, he also is a representative for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

Despite his active schedule, Patrick finds time to serve the wider community, previously as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pittsburgh.

鈥淚 plan to contribute positively to my communities鈥攂oth here at 黑料天堂 and at home,鈥� he said, adding that he will pursue a master鈥檚 degree and CPA licensure after graduating.

Gabriella Fazio
Exercise & Sports Science, Senior

From coaching youth sports to leading senior fitness classes, Gabriella Fazio supports the intergenerational communities of 黑料天堂 and the North Hills of Pittsburgh.

A graduate of City Charter High School, Gabriella chose to attend 黑料天堂 for its tight-knit and diverse community. Her passion for sports, alongside strong leadership skills, led to a children鈥檚 coaching position with Pittsburgh Soccer Shots, and her role as an intern and fitness instructor for 黑料天堂鈥檚 Introcaso Center for Lifelong Learning. This spring, she will complete an internship with Shaler High School鈥檚 Athletic Training Department.

A dual-sport athlete, Gabriella was the women鈥檚 soccer team captain for two years and competes on the women鈥檚 lacrosse team. She serves her fellow students as a resident assistant, peer mentor, and peer tutor.聽

鈥淚 have always tried implementing understanding and empathy when working with others,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have tried to help create a community where everyone feels like they are safe and belong.鈥澛�

Next semester, Gabriella will complete a departmental honors research project exploring how functional fitness training improves daily living activities for older generations.

Simplice Manamfise
Biology, Sophomore

A sophomore from Bujumbura, Burundi, Simplice Manamfise sees her education as an opportunity to improve health care in her home country. Hoping to help others lead healthier and more dignified lives, she aspires to be the first female biomedical engineer in Burundi.

鈥淚 see 黑料天堂鈥檚 values of peace and social justice reflected in my desire to make a positive difference in the world,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 hope to carry 黑料天堂鈥檚 mission forward through my work.鈥�

At 黑料天堂, Simplice is involved with the campus Cooking Club as well as GLOBE, a student group representing and celebrating cultures from around the world.

Through the Founders Scholarship, Simplice said she feels supported financially, but also as an individual. 鈥淭he scholarship has motivated me to work harder and stay focused on my goals, knowing that others believe in my potential,鈥� she said.

Samuel Muchugia
Cybersecurity & Forensics, Junior

As a teenager, Samuel Muchugia developed an early understanding of cybersecurity while repairing phones in his uncle鈥檚 workshop in Ongata Rongai, Kenya. As Samuel grows, so do his ambitions; he hopes to use his education to improve lives.

鈥淪tudying cybersecurity allows me to combine integrity, problem-solving, and my desire to help others by keeping people, data, information, and the world safe,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y long-term goal is to create training programs and job opportunities in technology for underprivileged youth, helping to carry forward 黑料天堂鈥檚 mission of service, justice, and global impact.鈥�

Samuel embraces different cultures in a learning environment that strengthens his confidence and independence. 鈥淚 can navigate the fast-changing world of technology with ease and determination,鈥� he said.

Samuel holds a ComTIA IT Fundamentals certification and completed hands-on cybersecurity labs through TryHackMe. He plans to explore ethical hacking projects and a summer internship.

On campus, Samuel participates in service work supporting Days for Girls, a nonprofit promoting women鈥檚 health and empowerment, and FarmerGirl Eb, an initiative encouraging sustainable food production.

Empower Students. Advance the Mission.

Your generosity helps students bring the 黑料天堂 mission to life in their workplaces and communities. To learn more, visit聽laroche.edu/give or contact Vice President for University Advancement George Barron at 412-536-1096 or聽george.barron@laroche.edu.