Father Henry J. Koren, CSSp Endowed Scholarship

Why did you choose to create a scholarship at Saint Leo University?
My husband and I (Richard J. Palazzo ’72 and Mary Arnheiter Palazzo ’72) met at Saint Leo. We both wanted to give back to the college where we had been given the opportunity to grow intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.

What would you want the recipients to know about the person for whom this scholarship is named?
Fr. Henry J. Koren was a brilliant and saintly man. He was a theologian, writer and philosopher. His class “Existential Phenomenology” was well known to stretch his students’ thinking. During a time of great turmoil, his views on life was—for me—more a spiritual guidebook. Dick and I named our first daughter after him, Koren.

What is your favorite Saint Leo story, tradition, or what Saint Leo has meant to you?
My first day at Saint Leo, another freshman girl got so excited because this cute guy who had saved her best friend from drowning out at Jones Beach in Long Island was a student at Saint Leo. That cute guy—lifeguard—later became my husband. Always brings a smile to my face.

What do you hope recipients gain through this scholarship support?
My hope is that the recipient of this scholarship continues to grow and spread his/her knowledge of life in a positive and productive manner which will help bring peace to themselves and others.