Scholarship Winners - Where are they Now?
Russell Pugh, Beta Xi ’73 passed away in 2003 at the age of 48 after a long battle with cancer.
Russ was active as an undergrad serving as chapter Treasurer and President, and won the 1977 APD Outstanding Undergraduate award. After graduating with an accounting degree in 1977 Russ joined the North Jersey AC and served as President from 1983-86. He was part of the alumni group that purchased the Beta Xi Fraternity house from National in 1981. Russ earned a CPA and started his own accounting firm in Central Valley, NY with his wife Lorelei. Russ was a truly outstanding person and fraternity brother who is missed by all who knew him. APD has not forgotten Russ as we continue to honor his memory through the Foundation’s scholarship program.
Russ’ 3 daughters have each received well deserved APD scholarships: Meghan in 2003/04/05, Stephanie in 2008 and most recently Lindsey in 2015/16.
Meghan graduated from Sacred Heart University where she co-captained the golf team and was active in Greek life. She also earned a MS in Middle School Education from the City College of NY. She is currently the principle of the Helen Keller School in NYC. She has been recognized for her educational achievements many times, including the prestigious Blackboard Awards Rising Star Teacher of the Year (2008), the NY Women’s Leadership Award (2016) and was accepted to the competitive NYC Teaching Fellows Program.
‘I am grateful for the support and loyalty that APD has exhibited to our family throughout the years. There are a few members of the fraternity who have remained close to our family throughout the years, attend our major milestones, and “check-in” on us regularly. Scholarships that have been provided to my sisters and I have helped to defray our educational costs, and have supported our unique directions. We made a promise to our Dad that we would each have the opportunity to attend college, and I know he would be proud of us, as well as my Mom who worked tirelessly to continue the business that they started together and ensured that we were able to each attend the college of our choice. Furthermore, I know he would be grateful that the Fraternity helped to make this wish a reality’.
Stephanie graduated from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa with a degree in Accounting. She is in her sixth year at the US Department of Treasury where she was recently promoted to a senior auditor position. She resides in Warrenton, Virginia with husband Robert and their one year old daughter Fiona. ‘Your loyalty and dedication for APD members and their families has truly shown over the years and my sisters and I are very grateful’.
Lindsey is a senior at James Madison University majoring in Dance with a minor in Non-profit studies, and in her own words she hopes to spread joy amongst diverse individuals around the world. She is off to a great start, already traveling to Guatemala providing resources to underprivileged families, to Nepal acting as a caregiver to children with HIV and Aids, and to Costa Rica to help in the preservation and protection of sea turtles. During her senior year she will be leading 12 other students on an alternative spring break to Jamaica.
‘The generosity of APD has continued to inspire me to help others and give back to my community and communities across the globe. Thanks for helping to continue my education in hopes of teaching and touching the lives of others. Although my time with my father was cut much too short, I am inspired by the comradery that has arisen through this tremendous organization in his wake. The support that not only I, but also my entire family received from APD has touched our lives and helped us on each of our connected and separate journeys. Following in both my sister’s footsteps and receiving this scholarship has meant more to me than words can say.’
Russ was active as an undergrad serving as chapter Treasurer and President, and won the 1977 APD Outstanding Undergraduate award. After graduating with an accounting degree in 1977 Russ joined the North Jersey AC and served as President from 1983-86. He was part of the alumni group that purchased the Beta Xi Fraternity house from National in 1981. Russ earned a CPA and started his own accounting firm in Central Valley, NY with his wife Lorelei. Russ was a truly outstanding person and fraternity brother who is missed by all who knew him. APD has not forgotten Russ as we continue to honor his memory through the Foundation’s scholarship program.
Russ’ 3 daughters have each received well deserved APD scholarships: Meghan in 2003/04/05, Stephanie in 2008 and most recently Lindsey in 2015/16.
Meghan graduated from Sacred Heart University where she co-captained the golf team and was active in Greek life. She also earned a MS in Middle School Education from the City College of NY. She is currently the principle of the Helen Keller School in NYC. She has been recognized for her educational achievements many times, including the prestigious Blackboard Awards Rising Star Teacher of the Year (2008), the NY Women’s Leadership Award (2016) and was accepted to the competitive NYC Teaching Fellows Program.
‘I am grateful for the support and loyalty that APD has exhibited to our family throughout the years. There are a few members of the fraternity who have remained close to our family throughout the years, attend our major milestones, and “check-in” on us regularly. Scholarships that have been provided to my sisters and I have helped to defray our educational costs, and have supported our unique directions. We made a promise to our Dad that we would each have the opportunity to attend college, and I know he would be proud of us, as well as my Mom who worked tirelessly to continue the business that they started together and ensured that we were able to each attend the college of our choice. Furthermore, I know he would be grateful that the Fraternity helped to make this wish a reality’.
Stephanie graduated from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa with a degree in Accounting. She is in her sixth year at the US Department of Treasury where she was recently promoted to a senior auditor position. She resides in Warrenton, Virginia with husband Robert and their one year old daughter Fiona. ‘Your loyalty and dedication for APD members and their families has truly shown over the years and my sisters and I are very grateful’.
Lindsey is a senior at James Madison University majoring in Dance with a minor in Non-profit studies, and in her own words she hopes to spread joy amongst diverse individuals around the world. She is off to a great start, already traveling to Guatemala providing resources to underprivileged families, to Nepal acting as a caregiver to children with HIV and Aids, and to Costa Rica to help in the preservation and protection of sea turtles. During her senior year she will be leading 12 other students on an alternative spring break to Jamaica.
‘The generosity of APD has continued to inspire me to help others and give back to my community and communities across the globe. Thanks for helping to continue my education in hopes of teaching and touching the lives of others. Although my time with my father was cut much too short, I am inspired by the comradery that has arisen through this tremendous organization in his wake. The support that not only I, but also my entire family received from APD has touched our lives and helped us on each of our connected and separate journeys. Following in both my sister’s footsteps and receiving this scholarship has meant more to me than words can say.’
