“I believe in education — it will always help you towards your future,” says Carmine D’Argenio.
Showing support for his alma mater was a natural next step.
“What other school would I give back to?” asks D’Argenio. “This is my home. For everything that helped you grow, I believe you should always have that desire to give back.”
That’s why D’Argenio recently established the Carmine D’Argenio and Family Endowment, which will help fund JMSB scholarships for undergraduate student-athletes over the next 10 years.
He’s witnessed the dedication and commitment that student-athletes put into training and studying, which more often than not doesn’t leave them time to also work to finance their studies.
D’Argenio’s hope is that this new scholarship will help alleviate some of that burden.
D’Argenio owns the BMW-Mini car dealership in Laval, Que., which has been in his family since 1973. He always knew he’d end up in the business world, although when he was younger he wasn’t convinced he needed an education to get there.
It didn’t take him long, however, to realize he was mistaken. “Education gives you a broader perspective on life,” D’Argenio says. “Having a degree is a great base to help you expand your mind.”
Community support
D’Argenio has long believed in the importance of giving back to those who need it most. Heavily involved in his community, he supports various local groups such as the Italian-Canadian Community Foundation, which helps promote Italian culture and supports social needs, health and education.
“I firmly believe that you should give back to your community, either through time or finances, if you can,” says D’Argenio. “It’s important not just for you, but for the people who really need it.”
D’Argenio now extends that support to his alma mater. “I am proud to say I went to Concordia,” says D’Argenio. “I am very happy to be able to give back and I’m very fortunate to be associated with JMSB.”
