2014 Business Women's Forum to Award Scholarship to Post University Student October 10

WATERBURY, Conn. - Aug. 26, 2014 - PRLog -- The 2014 Business Women’s Forum (BWF) will present a $6,000 scholarship award to Ms. Lauren Gelati of Thomaston, Conn. a junior at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut. The Waterbury-based non-profit BWF is Connecticut’s longest-running full-day annual conference for women, and its mission is to raise funds for an annual scholarship to enable female Post University students to pursue business educations. In 31 years, the BWF has raised and awarded more than $150,000. Ms. Gelati will receive her 2014 honor on October 10^th before 500 attendees at the 32^nd annual BWF conference that will be held at The Aqua Turf Club in Southington between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“The Power of Self: Leading the Way” is the conference’s innovative theme that will feature motivational speakers Barbara Corcoran, real estate mogul, private investor and a “Shark” on ABC-TV’s popular “Shark Tank” and Amanda Gore, CEO of The Joy Project, plus six professional development workshops, all-day networking, breakfast, lunch, and a closing reception. Celebrating 32 years of notable success, the BWF is a program of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Waterbury, Connecticut. The thriving organization is led by female executives dedicated to the professional and personal growth of working women, and supported by numerous companies including Wells Fargo, Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Diagnostic Radiology Associates, Sarracco Mechanical Services, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Connecticut, Waterbury Hospital and more.

Sandra Wilson, Esq., academic program manager for Post University’s Criminal Justice program, a BWF Board Member, and the 2014 BWF Scholarship Committee Chairwoman, is confident this year’s award recipient will “achieve great success into her future. A college education is fundamental to the success of young women today and providing financial assistance greatly improves their future. This year’s scholarship winner is very impressive. She is a focused, ambitious young woman who has already accomplished much in her young life.”

Scholarship winner Lauren Gelati is a junior at Post University majoring in marketing. She is a member of the University’s Honors Program and a student of the Malcolm Baldrige School of Business. After graduating Waterbury Arts Magnet School in 2011, she entered Post University and became a resident assistant/peer educator. In these roles she has been required to ensure dorm residents follow University rules and guidelines, and she tutors campus residents and assists in teaching a freshman CSA class to prepare students for their college experiences following high school.

Ms. Gelati is president of the Gay Straight Alliance Club and a member of the Business Society, Sustainability Club, and the Community Service Club. She is also a stage manager and head technical director of all of the school’s theatrical productions. Additionally, Ms. Gelati is a member of the Student Government Association where she is the spokesperson and representative for many different on-campus organizations. Currently employed in three areas on campus, Ms. Gelati is a work study student in the facilities and mailroom department and the guard shack where she monitors who comes on and off the campus, staff parking designations, and overall campus security. She is also employed as an on-campus student leader. As a sophomore, she was an orientation leader for incoming students, as a junior, she is a resident assistant/peer educator to first year students.

As a freshman with a GPA score of 3.98 and a sophomore with a score higher than 3.5, Ms. Gelati secured her position on Post University’s President’s List. She was named sophomore of the year for her outstanding grades and heavy involvement in various programs, activities, clubs and other groups on campus. As a junior, she was recently awarded the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference All Academic Award for maintaining a high GPA while playing on the women’s tennis team. Ms. Gelati also participates in bowling tournaments every weekend and bowls in a league weekly.

On October 10^th, Ms. Gelati will receive her scholarship from the board of the Business Women’s Forum. Admission to the highly-informative full-day 2014 BWF includes the opening motivational breakfast with Amanda Gore, CEO of The Joy Project, luncheon with “Shark Tank” Shark Barbara Corcoran, six professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and a high-energy closing reception with a buffet of hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and enticing offering of raffle and door prizes.

To learn more, and to register for the October 10^th 2014 BWF, visit www.2014bwf.com, or call the Waterbury Regional Chamber at 203-757-0701.