Washington, DC – Twenty-four students have been awarded the Dr. Elemér and Éva Kiss Scholarship and the Bognár Family Hungarian Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. These scholarships are part of the Hungarian American Coalition’s commitment to supporting academic excellence and leadership in the United States, Hungary, and the Carpathian Basin.

This year’s recipients include Ábris Kelemen, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at La Salle University (Philadelphia, PA); Ádám Polik, enrolled in NYU Stern School of Business’s International Business Exchange Program (IBEX) (New York, NY); Borbála Szedmák, working toward a Master in Management and Leadership at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA); Dávid-Bence Szabó, attending Universitatea Babeș-Bolyai (Romania); Dóra Stefaniga, studying Veterinary Medicine at Universitatea Babeș-Bolyai (Romania); Koppány Farkas, pursuing a degree in Wildlife Management Engineering at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Hanna Sebesi, specializing in natural sciences at Bolyai Farkas High School; István Balogh, enrolled in the Liberal Arts and Sciences program at St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY); Júlia Ludescher, studying Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology at the George Emil Palade University; Kinga Noémi Mezey, pursuing a Master’s in Advanced Techniques in Chemical Synthesis at Babeș-Bolyai University’s Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Kriszta Kajcsa, conducting doctoral research at Babeș-Bolyai University’s PhD School of Population Studies and History of Minorities; Lea Bagi, advancing her studies; Ingrid Lörinc, a PhD candidate at Debreceni Egyetem; Márton Péter Boross, enrolled in the Tisch Graduate Film Program at NYU (New York, NY); Noémi Beres, completing her undergraduate degree in Engineering Informatics at Budapesti Műszaki Egyetem; Odett Nadin Herling, studying Political Science at Lynn University (Boca Raton, FL); Péter Szilágyi, pursuing an MSc in Cell Biology, Genetics, General, and Inorganic Chemistry at Semmelweis University (Budapest); Sarolta Haiyen Trinh, attending the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Tamás Birta, pursuing studies at Budapesti Műszaki Egyetem; Viktor Makusin, undertaking a Master’s in History at Uzhhorod National University; Zsófia Edina Bugyi, studying Management at Babeș-Bolyai University’s Faculty of Economics and Business Administration; Iván László Nagy, working toward a Master of Arts in Politics at Columbia Journalism School (New York, NY); Koppány Jordan, enrolled in the MBA program at Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business; and Eszter Varga, pursuing a Master of Arts in Climate and Society at Columbia Climate School (New York, NY).

The Dr. Elemér and Éva Kiss Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 to provide financial assistance to Hungarian students pursuing higher education in the United States. Renamed in memory of Dr. Elemér and Éva Kiss, long-time Coalition members who fled Hungary after the 1956 Revolution and settled in Maryland, the scholarship honors their lifelong dedication to education and philanthropy. Since its inception, the program has supported exceptional Hungarian students committed to academic achievement and leadership, providing vital resources to help them succeed in their studies. For more information, visit the Coalition’s website.

The Bognár Family Hungarian Scholarship Fund, originally founded as the Hungarian Scholarship Fund in 1999 by Dr. Béla and April Bognár, was entrusted to the Hungarian American Coalition in 2014. Renamed to honor the Bognárs, the fund supports Hungarian students studying in Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Slovakia, Serbia, and the U.S. The program focuses on fostering leadership within local communities by enabling students to complete their education and contribute to their home countries. Since its establishment, the fund has awarded over $700,000 to 277 students, with contributions from the Hungarian American community, churches, organizations, and philanthropic initiatives like the Sunshine Lady Foundation. Recipients are selected based on academic excellence, financial need, and glowing recommendations from mentors and community leaders.