Shirley and Art Sotloff believe that their son, Steven, found his true calling while he was a student at UCF from 2002-04.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s that connection that prompted them to help create a scholarship in his name when Steven was killed after being taken hostage as a freelance journalist by Islamic terrorist group ISIS in 2014.<\/p>\n
Recently, the Sotloffs visited campus to commemorate the first awarded scholarship from The Steven Sotloff Memorial Endowed Fund to senior Adam Manno.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnowing that our son\u2019s name lives on, and that the endowment will touch the lives of students with similar interests as his own, truly touches our entire family,\u201d Shirley said.<\/p>\n
Manno is expected to graduate in May with a bachelor\u2019s degree in journalism and a minor in political science. He was born in the Dominican Republic but attended high school in South Florida, where he got his first taste of journalism while working for his school newspaper.<\/p>\n
He chose UCF because it encompassed everything he was looking for: a big school in an interesting and vibrant city, a well-renowned journalism department and a financial aid offer \u201cthanks to UCF\u2019s vision of education for all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s one thing I really love about the school \u2013 it makes sure everyone who wants an education can get one,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been very good to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manno was a sophomore at the time of Sotloff\u2019s tragic death. He attended the vigil that was held on campus a day after the news broke worldwide. Manno said it both saddened and mobilized him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to write and shed light on the stories that deserve to be told,\u201d he said. \u201cLike Steven did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before Steven died, he managed to smuggle out a letter to his parents. They said that he wrote of his desire to give back.<\/p>\n
After his death, the Sotloffs helped start the fund, which provides scholarship support to UCF students majoring in journalism as well as funding for symposia, lectures and other programming to advance journalism and journalism education.<\/p>\n
Manno was honored to be chosen as the first recipient and understands the significance it carries.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a scholarship directly tied to someone\u2019s sacrifice for my profession. He was a former UCF student out there pursuing his life\u2019s work. That\u2019s all he was doing, and that\u2019s what led to his death. It means more to me than just the money,\u201d Manno said. \u201cIt means that I have to work hard to prove myself worthy of it. It\u2019s an incentive that comes with a big responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fund still has room for growth. The Nicholson family, benefactors of the Nicholson School of Communication, pledged to match every dollar given up to $25,000.<\/p>\n
Sonja and Tony Nicholson have spent time getting to know the Sotloffs and didn\u2019t hesitate to extend their heartfelt support.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want their son\u2019s name to live on. We felt that was a very small gesture on our part. We can\u2019t ease that pain for them, but we can help carry his name on,\u201d she said. \u201cWe just feel like [giving back is] so important because it touches so many lives, and we care about the students.\u201d<\/p>\n