The Enedina L. Fernandez ’99 Humanitarian Fund
Supporting International Students in Need
Enedina L Fernandez ’99 had a lifelong commitment to service that inspired the creation
of the Enedina L. Fernandez ’99 Humanitarian Fund. Enedina returned to Queens after
a full career in nursing to earn a degree in communications and traveled to Costa
Rica with Queens. In all her pursuits, Enedina was guided by and projected a steadfast
sense of who she was and what she believed, including her faith. She was a woman who
lived in service to others, including family, friends and strangers and her compassion
drew people to her.
This fund will be her legacy at Queens so that others, specifically international students attending Queens, may have a better opportunity to thrive and succeed when their efforts may otherwise be deterred by critical needs. Support may also be extended to help with an international students’ ability to transition and acclimate to the Queens community, career preparation, and academic success. The Fernandez family hopes that this support will be both beneficial and inspiring in honor of the impact Enedina made through her mentorship, empathy, service and commitment in the Queens community and beyond.
Giving Tuesday 2022 - Jenny Boone '87
On November 29, Queens alumni, friends and community members will come together for Giving Tuesday, a global initiative that encourages people to donate their time and money to charitable causes on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. In celebration of this special day, Queens celebrates our students and alumni who live by the motto, “Not to be served, but to serve.”
The Parkinson’s Foundation is near and dear to Jenny Boone ’87. Her mother was diagnosed with the progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves in 2011. After years of struggle, Boone’s mother passed away in 2020. Two months later, her father, the primary caregiver, died of what Boone believes was a broken heart. “They were married for 62 years, deeply in love and devoted to each other until the end,” said Boone.
While her mom was still alive, Boone was instrumental in raising money for a couple of the Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day events. As they were building out the Carolinas Chapter of the newly formed board in March 2021, the Foundation reached out to Boone and asked if she would serve. “The timing was perfect as I was still deeply grieving and needed to give back to the Parkinson’s community…in a BIG way,” she said.
Today, Boone serves on the subcommittee of Fund Development for the Parkinson’s Foundation of the Carolinas Chapter where they provide information on care and support, how to live with the disease, fund research, and extend grants to exercise groups. “I am constantly blown away with the amount of resources the Parkinson’s Foundation provides,” says Boone.
Boone credits her philanthropic mindset to her time spent at Queens. She became deeply
rooted in the University’s motto from the first day she stepped foot on campus. “The
professors and administration gave all of us an incredible foundation to pursue things
important to us and encouraged us to go out into the world to do great things for
others…to serve.”
After college, Boone parlayed the confidence she gained at Queens into a successful sales career where she is not afraid to “ask for the business,” especially for causes she deeply believes in. “My classmates will tell you that when I get behind a cause, there is nothing stopping me.”
Dedicated to a life of service, Boone has also been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and the Battered Women’s Shelter. She acknowledges that volunteering at the Parkinson’s Foundation has been an impactful life experience. “It has been and continues to be one of the joys of my life. I’m representing the Foundation to provide help and knowledge. I think Mom and Dad had a lot to do with that too,” she said.
Honoring Your Support
There are many ways to show your support of Queens, from a one-time gift of any amount to a long-term planned gift. Established giving societies help us honor you and your support.
- The Adelaide Society celebrates alumni donors who have given any amount for the previous three consecutive years or more.
- The Royal Society celebrates donors who demonstrate their commitment to the Queens Fund through gifts of $1,500 or more. Young alumni Royal Society giving levels are $250 for alumni 1-5 years from graduation (Class of 2018-2022) and $750 for alumni 6-10 years from graduation (Class of 2013-2017). These gifts are used to provide hundreds of bright, talented students the opportunity to attend Queens. Each fall, the Royal Society Dinner celebrates these generous donors.
- The Ministrare Leadership Society recognizes donors who have contributed $1 million or more.
- Members of the Albright Legacy Society have included Queens in their long-term planning through bequests, will or a trust.
- Scholars Luncheon recognizes generous named annual and endowed scholarship donors and provides scholarship recipients an opportunity to offer their thanks in person. Held each spring since 2005, this special event features personal donor and recipient testimonials and honors those who have made significant contributions to new or existing scholarship funds that year.
Reach Out
To learn more about supporting Queens by becoming a member of a giving society, email give@queens.edu or call 704-337-2285.