Carolyn Euliano Endowed Scholarship
Carolyn Euliano poses with Dr. Xin Li (left), Chair of the Mathematics Department and Dr. Michael Johnson (right), Dean of the UCF College of Sciences.
Women are vastly underrepresented in STEM jobs and among STEM degree holders, despite making up nearly half of the U.S. workforce and half of the college-educated workforce. Carolyn Euliano recognizes this crisis and is an advocate for change.
Carolyn and her husband Neil Euliano, Ph.D., believe it is important for women to be present in the STEM field and have created an endowed scholarship at UCF to make it happen.
The Euliano’s entered an agreement with UCF, making a charitable gift for $250,000 to create the Carolyn Euliano Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics. This scholarship will help fund education expenses for women majoring in mathematics at UCF. Carolyn wants this endowed scholarship to encourage women to stay in the math department and continue with their mathematical studies.
Dr. Neil Euliano and Carolyn Euliano pose in the UCF Mathematics Department during their visit to campus.
“Teachers inspired me to continue on my path in mathematics, and I want to inspire other girls to reach for their goals…let them know that they can do math too.” explained Carolyn, who majored in mathematics at Mercyhurst University, in Erie, Pennsylvania.
On April 14, Carolyn and Neil Euliano visited UCF with their two sons, James and John Euliano and John’s wife, Julie Euliano. Michael Johnson, Ph.D., dean of the College of Sciences, Xin Li, Ph.D., mathematics department chair, and Ray Allen, director of development, led the Euliano’s on a tour of the Department of Mathematics within the Mathematical Sciences building, showing them the highlights of the building and the multiple student resources available.
A reception was held following the tour to thank the Euliano’s for their generous donation. Students shared why math is an important part of their lives and how the scholarship will benefit future recipients. Faculty provided information on department research and the long-term impact the gift will make.
UCF math students share why math is an important part of their lives.
“This is a transformative opportunity for the math department,” Dean Johnson explained. “It is all about balancing efforts and sending the message to young women that they are wanted and needed in this field.”
Junior math major, Yael Carmy, spoke on how she finds joy in math. She thanked the Euliano’s for their gift and believes it will “help motivate women to pursue math, no matter what obstacles come their way.”
After the discussion, Carolyn expressed how she was “…even more pleased about giving this gift after hearing from the students and faculty.”
Carolyn attended Mercyhurst College, graduating with a degree in mathematics and went on to teach after her graduation. She is most proud of her five children and many grandchildren, three of which attend and excel at UCF.