Berberian scholarship will help Del Tech students see the world

Lewes resident Rozi Diane Berberian believed an international outlook and varied skills give people a competitive edge in a culturally diverse world.

During her life, she spent countless hours and raised thousands of dollars to support overseas study for students at Delaware Technical Community College Owens Campus.

Berberian lost her fight against cancer in July 2020 at the age of 38. To honor her memory and further her work to build that international outlook, the Berberian family has established the Rambo Rozi Berberian Scholarship Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation to help Delaware Tech Owens Campus students who want to study abroad. The award will help offset travel costs and tuition for any short- or long-term study.

“It meant a lot to Rozi,” said her husband Jack Berberian. “We are both immigrants to the USA, and we have four girls we want to set an example for with these types of causes.”

Rozi immigrated to the United States from Armenia at the age of 6. She believed the perspective she gained from the experience was invaluable in all aspects of life. It was something she wanted to share with her own children and the community.

The scholarship application period opens Thursday, Dec. 15, and Owens Campus students will be able to apply at delcf.org/scholarships. Completed applications must be submitted by Wednesday, March 15, and students will be notified of awards in May 2023 for travel during summer 2023 through spring 2024.

The family hopes to award two to three ongoing scholarships of $500 to $1,000 a year, starting in 2023. The fund was made possible by friends of the Berberian family and participants at Rozi's remembrance event at Hudson Fields in 2020.

Rozi was known for her dedication to her community and her family as well as her incredible bravery. She got the nickname “Rambo Rozi” from her friends for her fearlessness throughout her fight against cancer.

Jack Berberian said he hopes some of that fearlessness will be transferred to others through the scholarship travel.

“I think she would be proud of all of us, and she would be happy that we are helping others get a jump-start in life,” he said.

The family also welcomes gifts to the fund at delcf.org/donations/berberian.