The event highlighted the active engagement of the UMass Amherst Cape Cod Alumni Network and unveiled the 2024 recipients of the network’s eponymous scholarship.  

For decades, the UMass Amherst Cape Cod Alumni Network has arranged opportunities for alumni and friends living in the area to connect with one another, stay informed about what was happening in Amherst, and support the university’s current students.  

On August 15, the network gathered more than 100 alumni, students, families, and friends in Dennis Port, Mass. to celebrate this connectivity and to award the network’s annual scholarships to incoming first-year students at UMass Amherst.  

Over the past 29 years, the Cape Cod Alumni Network has awarded over $353,000 in scholarships to first-year students from the Cape. This year, $28,000 in scholarships were awarded to nine entering students.  

“It was an honor to be awarded the scholarship, and it really helped to offset the cost of this semester,” said Maia Donnelly ’28, one of this year’s recipients. “The reception itself was a special experience. With the chancellor of UMass, alumni, current students, and fellow incoming first-years, there were many opportunities to converse with different people who each had their own pieces of helpful advice.  

“I was able to chat with a junior who shared the same major as me, and she gave me advice about what classes to take and how to get involved in research labs. I’m very grateful for the generosity of the UMass Cape Cod Alumni Network for both the scholarship and the opportunity to connect with UMass students and alumni.”

Chancellor Javier Reyes addressed the attendees as they took in the scenic views and dined on baked stuffed cod. The chancellor noted, “Our Cape Cod alumni reflect the very best of our community. They are engaged; they stay connected to each other; and they pay it forward so that the next generation may realize the promise and possibility of a UMass Amherst education.”  

Several in attendance represented inter-generational families, with grandparents celebrating their 60th alumni anniversaries as their grandchildren begin their UMass Amherst education this fall.  

“The Seaside Celebration was just that...a celebration of Cape and Island scholarship students attending UMass Amherst this fall,” said network leaders Sheryl Lajoie ’69 and Brian Kennedy ’80. “The program, the venue, and the food were fantastic…It was an honor to have Chancellor Reyes speak to us in our little corner of Massachusetts. We are proud to be UMass alumni.” 

View photos from the event.