The Berta D. Villares Book Scholarship Award is in honor of Berta D. Villares, former Associate Director of Benefits at FIU. Berta served our FIU community with relentless dedication and passion, and helped many faculty and staff members make sound decisions with important benefit options. The Berta D. Villares Book Scholarship Award will provide an eligible faculty/staff member currently using the FIU Tuition Waiver Policy a one-time cash award. The award is designed to help offset the expenses associated with the purchase of required course textbooks.
It was so fitting to name this ‘The Berta D. Villares Book Scholarship Award’ because my mother was an avid reader and writer. She devoured books and believed in the power of knowledge. In 2003, Berta won first place for her story ‘Olor de Almendra,’ Smell of Almonds, and she received a $1,000 prize from the Cuban Museum. She had a natural talent for writing and she even wrote a story for one of her colleagues at FIU and gave it to her as a gift. I strongly believe eligible FIU staff and faculty members would benefit in being able to use these precious funds to purchase textbooks to further their education. My mother also believed in the power of giving back and did so in her many years of service in Human Resources at the University. This gift would continue her legacy as a testimony that giving to others only makes you richer!Veronica Paysse-Villares, Daughter of Berta D. Villares and FIU Alumna
“FIU is a great place to work; we have amazing benefits, amazing people, and amazing energy to move us Worlds Ahead. Berta D. Villares was one of those amazing colleagues who relentlessly served our university community. I take great pride in donating to this scholarship as it embodies her passion for education. She believed in paying-it forward, and this scholarship honors her legacy to assist our very own with excellence. Donate today and make the difference!”Trudy Fernandez, Director of Human Resources, M.S. ’06 College of Business Administration
How to Give
- Recurring Biweekly Payroll Deductions – Your Gift Amount will be deducted continuously. (i.e., $1.92 = $1.92 per pay period until you request a change)
- One Payment Payroll Deduction – Your Gift Amount will be deducted from one pay check only. (i.e., $100 = $ 100 from one pay period)
- Pay Directly with Credit Card
- Download Pledge Form