A Legacy of Giving Bobbi Rossi embodied character, heart, faith
possess the power to reach and touch others.
and purpose — all demonstrated with vitality
And for many, this scholarship is critical in
and integrity. A graduate of Cardinal Newman
their ability to continue their education. Take
High School, Bobbi was in her third year of
this year’s recipient, Amanda Clark.
nursing school at the University of South
Amanda is not your typical college student.
Carolina when she was tragically killed in 1984.
After working for 10 years as a veterinary
Almost 30 years later, Bobbi’s legacy lives on
nurse, she decided to change course and
through the Bobbi Rossi Memorial Scholarship
go back to school to receive her bachelor’s
and the countless lives that have been improved
degree in (human) nursing. Because she has a
because of it. Bobbi’s family started the
previous bachelor’s degree, she doesn’t qualify ray and bobbi rossi
scholarship to immortalize Bobbi’s optimism, enthusiasm and commitment to humanity, thus perpetuating her spirit in the community.
honored. Bobbi’s brother, Dr. Michael Rossi,
for state-sponsored programs and many other scholarships.
accepted the Legacy of Caring Award on
Amanda works full-time and attends classes at
The scholarship was founded by the Rossi
behalf of the Rossi family. In his address he
USC. As her clinicals begin this fall, she was
family in 1985 as a private foundation. Bobbi’s
said, “The very next day after Bobbi’s death,
faced with reducing her work hours and was
father, Ray Rossi, enjoyed administering the
my father decided to start the Bobbi Rossi
concerned about paying for school.
fund for 15 years. After his death, the family
Memorial Nursing Scholarship. I don’t know
wanted to continue the scholarship program
how he had the foresight at such a difficult time
without dealing with the record keeping,
to do so, but that was my dad.”
investment decisions, etc.
“I am blessed to have the support of the Bobbi Rossi scholarship this year,” said Amanda. “This scholarship has allowed me to meet my
Scholarships are awarded from the fund
tuition and continue on my path to becoming a
In 2001, the Rossi family moved the scholarship
annually. One goes to a rising senior at
nurse. For that, I will be forever grateful.”
to the Community Foundation, freeing family
Cardinal Newman High School, where Bobbi
members from the administrative burden of
graduated in 1982, and one to an upper
the scholarship program. This allowed them to
division nursing student at the University of
focus instead on awarding scholarships each
South Carolina. Since its founding, more than
year and fulfilling Bobbi’s desire to help others.
50 students have been awarded scholarships in
“This scholarship is one of the most important
excess of $170,000.
After graduation, Amanda’s goal is to continue her education and apply for graduate school to study for her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Her drive and dedication are what made her stand out among other applicants. The financial assistance Amanda is receiving from this
parts of Bobbi’s legacy,” said her mother, Ann
These students are selected not only for
scholarship serves as an example of how Bobbi
Marie Rossi. She recalled a recent USC College
exemplifying the spirit and dedication
does in fact continue to help others long after
of Nursing luncheon where the family was
illustrated in Bobbi’s life, but because they too
she left this earth.
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