New scholarship recognizes students committed to giving back

Biology major Alicia Verdier first visited an optometrist in middle school. It was an eye-opening experience.

“I was so fascinated by the technology used in the examination process,” Verdier recalls. “I wanted to learn more about how eyes correlate with other things that are happening to the rest of your body.” 

The visit had another critical impact on her: She had struggled with reading for years only to discover that she had “freckles” on the back of her eye that were impacting her vision. Verdier knew then that she wanted to grow up to help other young people learn about the importance of vision and wearing glasses.

The senior plans to pursue a Doctor of Optometry degree after graduating from FIU. As a Haitian American who is the first in her family to attend college, Verdier understands the power of education and has a drive to use her knowledge to help others. She is the recipient of the Rosita Gedeon Endowed Scholarship established by philanthropist Harvey Gedeon in honor of his late mother.

“The scholarship was helpful because I needed assistance with books, transportation [to campus] and other expenses. I also was able to express my career aspirations in the scholarship application, which I enjoyed,” said Verdier.

The man who made possible that important assistance to Verdier has roots in Haiti himself and built a career in the United States as a chemist and an executive. Now retired, Gedeon wants to reward hard working students who have a commitment to serving others.

Gedeon's mother never had the opportunity to pursue higher education but ensured Gedeon received the best possible education despite having limited resources. To honor her memory, he and his family recently directed $1 million towards the endowed scholarship at FIU for students pursuing STEM and finance careers.

“My mother was my inspiration and mentor. I watched her struggle to provide for her family as a single mother. She believed in us and encouraged us to be successful in life,” Gedeon said.  

And success he found. At age 18, Gedeon left Haiti to earn his undergraduate and graduate degrees in New York City. He went on to become a co-inventor in at least 20 patents while working as a chemist in the cosmetic industry.

After spending more than 15 years in the labs at Revlon and Estée Lauder, he became an executive vice president at the latter, from which he retired in 2013. Now focused on philanthropy, Gedeon is giving back to help students like Verdier find their own success.  With guidance from his children, Gedeon says he identified FIU as an excellent school to make a meaningful difference.

“FIU is the ideal place to give back,” Gedeon said, “because of its national reputation, service to all communities in South Florida and talented students who are seeking to achieve academic and professional success.”