Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology Raises More Than $1 Million for Scholarships

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT) has successfully met the Elizabeth Sherman Hughes and Anita Jaatinen Graham Challenge, establishing a scholarship fund worth more than $1.4 million. The fund will expand BFIT’s ability to help aspiring students in financial need to gain a high-quality technical college education.

“We are grateful for the vision of the Hughes and Graham families,” said Anthony Benoit, BFIT President. “These scholarship funds are absolutely vital to our ability to attract and retain students, who, with a BFIT degree, will have the opportunity to launch very promising careers.”

In 2008, Jim Hughes, then a BFIT Trustee, announced a $500,000 fundraising challenge through the Hughes Family Foundation to create the scholarship fund. Frederick Graham, a longtime supporter of the school, quickly donated $200,000 towards the match.

In recognition of this support, the fund was named to honor the memories of Hughes’s mother and Graham’s wife, who were both ardent supporters of higher education. A broad base of donors contributed toward the match, with gifts ranging from $10 to $100,000. A recent outpouring of community support brought the campaign to a successful conclusion this year.

BFIT trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends recently gathered to celebrate the milestone at a special reception in the college library.

“Our family is proud to support Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology and to help the college grow in order to educate future generations of skilled workers,” Hughes said. “For over 100 years, the college has become an avenue for young people to select a career path supported by training and education aimed at a wide variety of jobs in the region.”

“Financial support is critically important for students who can’t afford to go to college,” said Marvin Loiseau, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. “These scholarships will help more Boston-area young men and women to realize their dreams of a college education.”