A Legacy of Gratitude: Paying it Forward to Future Generations
Anna Comella Petronzio | Class of 1982
B.A., Sociology
Anna Comella Petronzio, a trailblazer as the first woman in her family to earn a college degree, credits her success to the invaluable scholarships she received from John Carroll University. Now, with deep gratitude, she has chosen to give back by creating a planned gift that will provide crucial support to future JCU students in need.
Early Life
For a traditional Italian Catholic family like Anna's, college was considered a privilege reserved for men. So, following high school, Anna entered the workforce, believing that higher education was beyond her reach.
However, when Anna was twenty-two, a conversation with a female coworker altered her life's trajectory. "She told me, 'You're too smart. You should be in college,'" Anna recalls. This colleague had recently enrolled at John Carroll University and urged Anna to consider doing the same. Inspired by the Jesuit philosophy and their esteemed role in the Catholic Church, Anna decided to apply. "I was raised Catholic, but I wasn't prepared for the Jesuits. Their scholarly nature, generosity, and commitment to service deeply resonated with me," she reflects.
JCU Experience
In the fall of 1976, Anna began her journey at John Carroll while balancing the demands of full-time work. She soon found her worldview expanding through the diverse range of courses offered. "The depth of education surprised me," Anna recalls. "At first, I thought requiring courses outside of the norm in subjects like Religion and Philosophy was a huge waste of time. I came to appreciate how these courses broadened my way of thinking about the world."
Despite her academic success, Anna faced financial hardships. The combined burden of living expenses and tuition costs became overwhelming, placing her academic future in jeopardy. A concerned classmate, aware of her situation, encouraged Anna to meet with JCU's President to seek assistance. "I went in, he reviewed my grades, listened to my story and, to my astonishment, he awarded me a scholarship on the spot. I couldn't believe it," Anna recalls with emotion. This pivotal financial aid enabled her to complete her studies and earn her undergraduate degree.
After Graduation
Anna graduated from John Carroll in 1982 with a B.A. in Sociology, which served as a springboard for further academic pursuits. Upon the suggestion of one of her Sociology professors, Anna decided to apply to Boston College, another Jesuit institution. Much to the dismay of her family, she moved to Boston and obtained a master's degree in medical Sociology from Boston College in 1986. She then started a career as a Software Product Designer in the healthcare space.
Along with her professional life, Anna pursued her creative passions by studying at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where she focused on printmaking and collage. This turned into a move into fashion where she created unique fashion pieces. Her art works have been exhibited throughout the United States and her fashions have been shown at various runway shows.
Giving Back
Anna's non-traditional college experience, marked by the necessity of working full-time, did not diminish her profound connection to John Carroll University. The lasting impact of a Jesuit education and the generosity shown by JCU's President during her time of need left an indelible mark on her heart. "...My heart is there. I have one of the bricks that is outside on campus, and it says, 'In Gratitude' because it had such an effect on me," she says.
Driven by this enduring sense of appreciation, Anna decided to create a planned gift. In collaboration with her attorney and JCU, she created a scholarship that will be funded with a percentage of her trust estate. This scholarship is designed to provide tuition assistance to junior and senior Sociology majors who demonstrate financial need, mirroring Anna's own experience as a JCU student.
Anna encourages others to contribute, no matter the amount, emphasizing that every donation has the potential to make a significant impact. As Anna says, "Small donations add up and count too. Even if someone can give $1,000, that could cover a student's books for a semester. If you're like I was, down to your last pennies to get through school, anything helps."
Through her planned gift, Anna hopes to extend the same lifeline she received to future students who may find themselves at a crossroads: "I feel strongly that there's going to be someone like me, trying to better themselves, striving to get through, and feeling stuck. At that critical juncture, if you're forced to stop, it can change your entire path. I wouldn't want anyone to have to give up on their college dreams."