Patrice Charlot (Commonwealth Honors College, University of Massachusetts Amherst, ’15, Public Health, Sociology) is a recipient of the Charles D. Baker II Scholarship, and the first of her immediate family to attend college. Her mother, born in Haiti, worked 16 hour days so that her children could get a good education. “Public Health drives me because I want to help people,” says Charlot, who is from Brockton, Massachusetts.

Watch her Profile Series video here.

About the Charles D. Baker II Scholarship

Governor Charlie Baker established this need/merit-based scholarship to honor the memory of his grandfather, Charles D. Baker II, who, despite experiencing hardships in his life, approached each day and each challenge with persistence, optimism, and grace. Charles D. Baker II never had the opportunity to pursue higher education but served his country with distinction and ensured that each of his children completed college studies. Undergraduates from all five UMass campuses can apply. One or more scholarships are available each year.

• Grandfather’s memory inspires Baker’s UMass scholarship (Boston Globe, 12.04.14)
• Gov. Elect Charlie Baker visits UMass campus in Amherst for first time since winning election (Republican, 12.03.14)
• Gov.-elect Charlie Baker encounters recipient of his own scholarship during visit to UMass (Amherst Bulletin, 12.03.14)

Tags: college, education, higher education, public health, scholarship, umass, university of massachusetts amherst