Rutgers’ Truman Scholar Honored by the New Jersey Nets
Walter Fortson, a junior with a major in Exercise Sciences, was one of three New Jersey college students recognized by the New York Nets with its Nets Foundation Appreciation Scholarship. The other recipients were Lee-Anna John and Tiffanie Serritella, both studying at Ramapo College of New Jersey. The recipients were selected on the basis of their academic achievement and commitment to community service, and the award of $35,000 will be divided evenly between the three students, to be applied to tuition for the 2012-2013 academic year. Fortson was also recently awarded the prestigious Truman Scholarship, only the eighth Rutgers’ students so honored and the first since 2001.
The Nets Foundation Appreciation Scholarship is a one-time award in recognition of the 35-year history of the Nets in New Jersey. “Education is an essential foundation in life,” said Petra Pope, Senior Vice President of Community Relations for Nets Basketball, “and we are proud to help make a difference in these students’ lives.”
Fortson and the other two recipients will be honored at the Nets vs. New York Knicks game on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. All three students will present the official game ball to the referees at center court prior to tip-off at 7:40 pm, and they will also receive their awards in an on-court presentation during a time-out.