CMC Holds Reception Honoring 2026 Scholarship Winners | Westfield, NJ News TAPinto

On the evening of June 29, three Westfield High School seniors walked into a reception at CMC President Dave Germond's home as scholarship winners. They walked out with $24,000 each — and a connection to more than a century of neighbors investing in the next generation.

The College Men's Club of Westfield honored its 2026 scholarship recipients at the annual Spring Scholar Reception, and Union County Life is proud to share their names with the Westfield community.

The Class of 2026 Recipients

Dylan Palumbo, CMC Scholarship Committee Co-Chair, introduced the three recipients — and noted that "this year's scholarship program was the most competitive in memory." Selection was based on academic achievement, community involvement, financial need, and career direction.

Elijah Brown will attend the University of Washington in Seattle, where he plans to study English and Political Science as a foundation for law school.

Christian Ruiz heads to Rutgers University in New Brunswick to study Finance, with a long-term goal of working in cybersecurity on Wall Street.

Connor Whelan will study Economics at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, with plans to attend law school and become an attorney.

Each received a four-year CMC scholarship valued at $24,000.

A Room Full of Scholars, Past and Present

The Spring Scholar Reception brought back CMC scholars from the graduating classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025, who shared updates on where their education has taken them since leaving Westfield.

For Germond, that's the point of the evening.

"The CMC trustees get to meet our newest class of awardees as well as learn about the latest achievements of previous CMC scholars," he said, calling the Spring Scholar Reception "the highlight of the year."

More Than a Century of Giving

Earlier this spring, the CMC also awarded a one-time $1,600 grant to a Westfield High School sophomore to fund standardized test preparation through CollegeWise. In total, the organization awarded $74,850 in scholarships and grants in 2026.

Founded in 1922, the College Men's Club of Westfield has distributed nearly $1.6 million in higher education assistance to young men from the community over more than a century — supporting students at more than 130 colleges and universities.

Scholarship applications are available each February at cmcwestfield.org and through the Westfield High School guidance department.

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FAQ

Who are the 2026 College Men's Club of Westfield scholarship recipients?
Elijah Brown (University of Washington), Christian Ruiz (Rutgers University), and Connor Whelan (Colby College) each received a $24,000 four-year scholarship.

How much did the College Men's Club of Westfield award in 2026?
$74,850 total — including three four-year scholarships of $24,000 each and a one-time $1,600 test prep grant to a WHS sophomore.

How do Westfield students apply for a CMC scholarship?
Applications are available at cmcwestfield.org and through the Westfield High School guidance department each February.

How long has the College Men's Club of Westfield been awarding scholarships?
Since 1922 — more than a century of giving, totaling nearly $1.6 million distributed to students attending 130+ colleges and universities.