Victoria Goordeen is a perfect example of a life changed through education thanks to philanthropic scholarship support.

“I come from a large family,” Victoria said.  “My parents worked very hard to provide for my siblings and me.”

Four members of Victoria’s family were attending college at the same time, yet she was not eligible for federal financial assistance.  The possibility of obtaining a college degree seemed out of reach.

Victoria considers getting an education to be a privilege and to be her responsibility.  “I don’t want the cost of my education to be an additional burden on my family,” she said.

Thanks to the generosity of Rosemary Duffy Larson, who established an endowed scholarship for students in Broward College’s Honors Institute, Victoria was able to continue her pursuit of higher education.

“Mrs. Larson’s scholarship support helped me through two semesters at Broward College,” Victoria said.  “Without that scholarship, obtaining my education, maintaining my grade point average and being able to volunteer my time for community service would have been extremely difficult.”

While she was at Broward College, Victoria served as Vice President in Charge of Service for Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Delta Rho Chapter, the international honor society, and she was a Student Ambassador.  In was in this capacity that she was invited to a reception at the Buehler Planetarium, where Mrs. Larson was presented with a certificate verifying the location of the star that had been named after her.

After graduating – with honors – from Broward College, Victoria began working on a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Florida Atlantic University.

Victoria spoke during the dedication ceremony for the Rosemary Duffy Larson Atrium and Gallery, in the Fine Arts Building on Broward College’s A. Hugh Adams Central Campus.  “Because of Mrs. Larson and her generous support in my educational process,” Victoria said during her presentation, “I am only two semesters away from earning my bachelor’s degree in chemistry.”

“My dream is to go to medical school and become a physician,” Victoria said to Mrs. Larson.  “I want to be able to give back and to perpetuate the kind of possibility you have generated, the possibility to move forward.”

“Mrs. Larson, your generosity has opened the door to my future.  I know now I will be able to achieve my dream,” Victoria said.  “Because of people like you … dreams are possible.  Thank you.”

Update: Victoria has since earned her B.S. degree and is currently in the process of applying to medical school.

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