Aliyah Ambriz, C’28, and Dennis Truong, C’28, were named Mount St. Mary’s University’s M&T Bank Scholars. Made possible by support from the M&T Charitable Foundation, the grant funding supports two students who have achieved academic excellence in their high schools and wish to continue pursuing their talents and passions at the Mount.
Ambriz, a graduate of Watkins Mill High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. At commencement, she wore seven cords and a medal representing the successful completion of three International Baccalaureate classes. Ambriz is a first-generation student majoring in health sciences. She was attracted to the field after she saw the pain her grandmother, Amelia, endured when her health declined. “I want to help people,” she said. Her goal is to become an anesthesiologist and provide compassionate care and empathy to her future patients.
Truong, a graduate of Lansdowne High School in Baltimore County, Maryland, ranked in the top 5% of his class and graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. As a first-generation Vietnamese American college student, Truong has already declared a computer science major and is actively involved with the Mount’s Cyber Defense and Programming Clubs. “I have always had a deep interest in technology and a love for coding, which led me to major in 
computer science,” he said. He chose the Mount because of its Catholic identity, small class sizes, and beautiful campus—including the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, where he sometimes goes to gather his thoughts. “One of the things I love most about the Mount is its supportive and welcoming community, where everyone is kind, friendly, and encouraging.” Truong aspires to build community and spread kindness and positive energy.
Established in 1993, the M&T Charitable Foundation was created to 
formalize the bank’s philanthropic efforts. Through its first 30 years, the foundation gave more than $534 million to thousands of nonprofit organizations—meeting the needs of the communities they serve. The Mount is thankful to partner with the foundation in building strong relationships rooted in trust and understanding to better serve worthy students and vibrant communities.