Every year a group of Glendale Community College students will receive scholarship funds to cover the cost of the credit hours they are enrolled in courtesy of a Peoria couple.

The scholarship fund is the result of a gift from philanthropists Michael and Doris Sarullo of Peoria, through a unique charitable program they set up years ago.

Approximately $8,000 will be dispersed annually. The only requirements for the scholarship are that the student must show need and be academically strong. Once the student applies for the scholarship, a committee will review all applications and determine the most deserving recipients.

The Sarullo scholarship funds for GCC students are made possible through a program called Charitable Gift Annuities. In the case of the Sarullos, they donated $250,000 to GCC several years ago, with the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation holding the funds in a trust and the annual interest payments going to the Sarullos.

Upon their deaths, the remaining balance was transferred to the ‘Drs. Michael and Doris Sarullo Scholarship’ with distributions made annually to students, into perpetuity.  This program gave the Sarullos a tax benefit from their initial donation, provided them with ongoing passive income, and lastly the knowledge they would bequeathing permanent funds to GCC students in need.

This is the largest alumni gift ever received by Glendale Community College.

The scholarship is based on $100 per semester hour, which more than covers the cost of tuition. The total scholarship award is dependent on the number of classes its recipient is enrolled in. 

The Sarullo’s, originally from New York, moved to Arizona after long and successful careers in law and business.  Doris earned an associate degree in applied science in administration of justice from GCC.  She was also a Phi Theta Kappa honors student maintaining a 3.9 GPA.

"We had a very positive experience at GCC in the Administration of Justice Department under Duke Schafer, as well as in Computer Technology. We have long admired the community college system and its focus on providing quality education. And so it gives us great pleasure to give back to the college and perhaps encourage other alumni to make a gift.” the Sarullos stated.

For information on charitable giving, contact Travis Rutt at 623 845 4771 or travis.rutt@gccaz.edu or visit www.gccaz.edu/community/supporting-gcc.