Four UMass Amherst Students Awarded Karam Scholarships

Four UMass Amherst students have been awarded $5,000 scholarships from the James J. Karam Scholarship Fund in recognition of their academic achievements and campus involvement. They are among eight students in the University of Massachusetts system to receive the award.

The James J. Karam Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 by business leader James Karam and his wife, Janis Karam. The endowed funds provide scholarships to full-time students attending or applying from the South Coast region of Massachusetts who distinguish themselves through strong academic performance and demonstrated financial need.

“Each year, I am awestruck by the hard work, dedication and accomplishments that all of these students have shown to their studies and lives,” said Karam. “It is a pleasure to be able to reward that commitment knowing that they are the leaders of tomorrow.”

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan commended the student recipients and praised the Karam family’s dedication to UMass at a celebration dinner on June 20.

This year’s UMass Amherst scholarship winners are:

  • Emanuele Abi-Younes, New Bedford – A sophomore, Emanuele is majoring in chemical engineering. She is a graduate of New Bedford High School.
  • Samuele Abi-Younes, New Bedford – Joining her sister at UMass Amherst, incoming freshman Samuele intends to major in economics. Samuele is a graduate of New Bedford High School. 
  • Kyle Neves, Fall River – An incoming freshman who intends to major in political science, Kyle is a graduate of BMC Durfee High School. 
  • Carly Sherman, Westport – A sophomore who is majoring in biology, Carly is a graduate of Bishop Stang High School.

James Karam is president and founder of First Bristol Corporation, which has developed retail shopping centers, hotels and office buildings throughout southern New England since 1975. He also co-owns WSAR and WHTB radio stations.

Karam previously served on the University of Massachusetts System Board of Trustees for ten years, including four years as chairman. During his tenure, he played a leading role in initiating a multibillion dollar capital plan across all five UMass campuses.

A Fall River native, James Karam graduated from UMass Dartmouth in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and also received an honorary Doctor of Business from UMass Dartmouth in 2001.