As this year’s recipient of the Close to Home Scholarship established by faculty and staff, Calvin Ng appreciates that his education is being supported by those who know UConn best.

“I’ve heard it said that the best investment you can make is the one you make in yourself,” Ng says. “I feel really honored that I am the beneficiary of the confidence that the faculty and staff have in the University and its ability to make a difference.”

A native of Allentown, Pa., and the son of immigrants to this country (dad from Malaysia and mom from Hong Kong), Ng is the first generation in his family to go to college. He looked at schools in his home state and in Arizona, but it was during a visit to UConn that he felt most comfortable. “I came with my parents and we wandered around the campus. I could see myself here, and I felt I would do well.”

And he has done well. Now in his second year in ACES, the Academic Center for Exploratory Students, Calvin has achieved a 3.6 grade point average – high enough, he hopes, to apply successfully to the School of Business. He wants to major in finance and work for a while on Wall Street. UConn’s proximity to Stamford and New York City has him exploring possibilities for internships.

“UConn makes it really easy to feel comfortable,” says Ng, who has joined the Outing Club and feels at home at North Hilltop, where he has many friends.

“The scholarship is a real benefit,” he adds. “I feel like it’s an additional resource supporting my education.”

I feel really honored that I am the beneficiary of the confidence that the faculty and staff have in the University and its ability to make a difference. — Calvin Ng, Close to Home Scholarship recipient

Ng is the second student to receive the Close to Home Scholarship, which was established last year through private giving from faculty and staff in the annual Close to Home Campaign. The fundraising campaign began in 2006 as a way for UConn’s faculty and staff to make a gift to the University. Last year, more than 1,475 faculty, staff and retirees contributed $2.3 million to the Close to Home Scholarship or to one of more than 500 other funds benefiting different areas of UConn.

Thomas Long, associate professor of nursing who serves as co-chair of the Close to Home Campaign Committee together with Jennifer Person, director of the payroll office, says his involvement with the program is incredibly rewarding.

“Growing up, my parents taught me from an early age that nobody succeeds in life without help from others,” says Long. “Now that I am at a certain point in my career, I take great satisfaction in being able to help so many deserving young people as they strive to reach their goals.”

Adds Person, “UConn has so many great things to offer. One of our goals is to keep tuition affordable, so we can continue to attract the best and brightest students. As an alum who bleeds blue, I am proud that the Close to Home Campaign will help future generations of Huskies have amazing experiences at UConn, just like I had.”

The 2014-2015 Close to Home Campaign gets underway this week.