Supporting Tomorrow’s Scientists
Grateful Graduate Makes a Gift in His Estate
As a high school senior student in Puerto Rico, Edwin Román Rivera ’02 won a trip to California. On that trip, Román Rivera fell in love with San Francisco and set out on a mission to study at the University of San Francisco. Little did he know the profound impact the trip would have on his life.
As the first in his family to attend college, it took immense courage for Román Rivera to uproot his life and follow his dream. With the help of USF’s administration and financial aid offices, he secured a scholarship and a work-study grant and made his dream of attending USF a reality. An opportunity he did not take lightly and kindness that he promised himself that he would someday repay. Román Rivera worked hard in his classes and forged many meaningful relationships, many of which he still has today. As a member of the academic fraternity and collegiate honor society, TriBeta, Román Rivera enjoyed the beautiful City by the Bay and gave back to it by doing community service with his friends and professors.
Román Rivera credits the University for his strong foundation and well-rounded education. He notes that being in smaller classes and getting one-on-one attention as a student afforded him a much more in-depth learning experience and prepared him for his future. After completing his science degree at USF, Román Rivera returned to Puerto Rico to pursue his master’s degree in Food Science, studying Food Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico.
Román Rivera always knew he wanted to give back to USF. Today he is a successful food microbiologist in food safety and manufacturing. He created a gift in his estate to ensure that more inquisitive science students, like himself, have the opportunity to attend USF. He hopes his gift will relieve future students' financial burden, giving them the freedom to focus on their studies and not on the pressures of college expenses.
If you would like information about making a future gift for scholarships at USF through your will, trust, or retirement plan, please contact the USF Office of Gift Planning at (415) 422-4163, email: giftplanning@usfca.edu, or visit us at: giftplanning.usfca.edu