St. Thomas University Partners with Gravity Diagnostics to Provide Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year Awardee the Opportunity to Attend College on a Full-Tuition Scholarship
St. Thomas University (STU) President David A. Armstrong, J.D., recently announced the university is matching 100% of the non-student loan financial assistance for Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati Youth of the Year awardee Richard Greene III. Gravity Diagnostics will donate up to $5,000 towards the final balance, per year, for up to four years, allowing Richard to complete his collegiate studies tuition-free at the Miami, Florida based institution.
Richard Greene III
The decision to provide the financial assistance was born out of a discussion between President Armstrong and Anthony Remington, co-founder and CEO of Gravity Diagnostics, during a recent dinner at a Cincinnati-restaurant. A few tables away, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati was hosting their Youth of the Year award dinner. Overhearing the purpose of the award dinner, the gentlemen capitalized on an opportunity to assist a potential student who may not have the financial means to attend St. Thomas University. Armstrong and Remington introduced themselves to the group and pledged their financial support to any member who chooses to attend St. Thomas University.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati Youth of the Year awardee Richard Greene III, 18, a recent graduate from DePaul Cristo Rey High School, researched the university and made the decision to attend. Youth of the Year is the Boys & Girls Clubs signature effort to foster a new generation of leaders, fully prepared to live and lead in a diverse, global and integrated world economy. Their mission aligns fully with STU’s mission of developing ethical leaders for our global community.
“Our St. Thomas University community is committed to the academic and professional success of its students,” President Armstrong, J.D., stated. “Richard is already demonstrating his leadership ability and we are excited to have him as a member of the STU family. We are blessed to be able to offer him the resources and education necessary to launch him into a successful future.”
“I feel beyond blessed and very much appreciative of the group of people, the investment, and the faith put into me,” STUdent Richard Greene III stated. “It only shows that people are counting on me to succeed. I will give it my best shot in doing so.”
Gravity Diagnostics is a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-Certified, College of American Pathologists(CAP)-Accredited laboratory which is licensed in all 50 states to provide innovative laboratory testing in the areas of COVID-19, Upper Respiratory, Toxicology, Pharmacogenomics, and Sexually Transmitted Infections.
When the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) mandated all athletes receive a PCR COVID-19 test before participating in their particular sport in 2020, STU had close to 1,000 student-athletes who immediately needed an accurate, fast, and cost-effective way to do COVID-19 testing.
STU originally partnered with Gravity Diagnostics in 2020 to work together to find a solution to meet testing needs and soon implemented gold standard PCR COVID-19 testing across the university’s athletics’ programs as described in this case study.
“Since the day I met President Armstrong several years ago, he has displayed an unmatched passion for helping others, especially students pursuing higher education,” Anthony Remington, co-founder and CEO of Gravity Diagnostics stated. “I am honored and humbled to have a small role in his mission and vision. The Boys and Girls Clubs is a phenomenal organization and we are delighted to work with them as well.”
Richard began his collegiate studies Fall 2021, taking 16 credits in St. Thomas University’s College of Science Bachelor of Science Biology degree program. He is also an active member in the university’s Campus Ministry.
