Kentucky Wesleyan receives $110,000 year-end gift

Investment from Dr. Angelos Stergiou ’97 to include Endowed Biotechnology Scholarship

Kentucky Wesleyan College alumnus Dr. Angelos Stergiou ’97 is investing in the future of students at his alma mater and doing it in a big way.  Dr. Stergiou has committed a $110,000 gift to the College – $50,000 to the General Scholarship Fund to benefit all Wesleyan students and $60,000 to establish the Stergiou Biotechnology Scholarship, which will enable selected students to gain valuable experience at the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. This innovative program will allow recipients the opportunity to participate in a summer internship program under the direction of Dr. David Scheinberg in a cancer research laboratory at MSK. Dr. Scheinberg is an esteemed physician and scientist who specializes in the care of patients with leukemia. Students will assist him in the investigation of new therapeutic approaches to cancer.

“I am very excited to not only invest in Kentucky Wesleyan, but also to launch the Stergiou Biotechnology Scholarship program,” said Dr. Stergiou.  “This scholarship will allow Wesleyan students the opportunity to work at the leading U.S. oncology center while being mentored by an internationally renowned cancer researcher in Dr. Scheinberg.  I am proud to be a Wesleyan alumnus and am happy that students will be able to utilize this program to pursue their educational dreams and gain first-hand experience at this prestigious institution in New York.”

Dr. Stergiou is the founder, chief executive officer and vice chairman of SELLAS Life Sciences Group. He has held international positions in the United States and Europe with pharma and biotechnology companies and clinical research organizations over the past 14 years. Dr. Stergiou has led clinical research in all phases of clinical development and has designed and implemented research projects in many countries. He has also collaborated with many internationally renowned academic institutions on clinical research endeavors, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Harvard University, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Cleveland Clinic, New York University, University of Heidelberg, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and others. He was awarded an honorary doctor of science (Sc.D.) at Kentucky Wesleyan’s spring 2016 Commencement ceremony. 

“We are grateful to Dr. Stergiou for his generous commitment and for establishing this wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Tom Keith, Wesleyan’s vice president for advancement.  “He epitomizes what is possible as a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan – an international leader in his field who is changing the world.”