Real Estate Investment Society awards scholarships

The Real Estate Investment Society (REIS) proudly announces the award of the annual Paul Sands Memorial – REIS Scholarship to Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) students Luca DiSano, Randy Lopez and Sawyer Sutter. The scholarships each provide $2,500 toward tuition and books.

These outstanding scholars also receive honorary membership in REIS for one year and may attend meetings on a complimentary basis. “We welcome outstanding scholars to join us, to learn about the area’s commercial real estate industry, and develop relationships with members of the business community,” explained REIS President Mary Gentile. “The REIS scholarship programs represent our commitment to our professions and our community. We support student interest in business by providing financial assistance for their higher education and welcoming them to participate in our meetings and educational programs. Our goal is to promote the professionalism of our future business leaders and thereby the economic vitality of our community.”

Luca DiSano is a freshman, majoring in marketing with a minor in real estate, and plans to pursue a career in commercial real estate. Randy Lopez is a senior majoring in Finance, studying for a real estate license, and becoming a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP). He will be in the first FGCU class graduating with an international business concentration under the management degree. Sawyer Sutter is a sophomore, majoring in business with a focus on real estate. He is a member of FGCU’s Business and Entrepreneurship Club at FGCU.

Kent Poli and Bev Larson, chairs of the REIS scholarship committee, explain that the Paul Sands Memorial – REIS Scholarship is an endowed FGCU scholarship program, funded by REIS Scholarship Foundation, a not-for-profit, registered 501(c)3 corporation. Continuing contributions from REIS and the annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational Golf Tournament have increased and sustained the fund.

Information on contributing to the REIS scholarship program is available at the REIS web site: www.reis-swfl.org or by calling Bev Larson, 239.281.1290, or Kent Poli, 239.689.7174. Criteria, school contacts, and other information on the program are also available at the REIS web site.

PHOTO CAPTION (from left): FGCU advisor Ron Hamel, scholar Randy Lopez, REIS Scholarship Committee Co-Chair Bev Larson, REIS President Mary Gentile, and FGCU Professor Dr. Shelton Weeks.