Departmental Scholarships and Awards

The following scholarships and awards were made possible through the generosity of donors to the William Paterson University Foundation. Scholarships are subject to renewal by donors and actual scholarship amounts may vary.

SCHOLARSHIPS

College of Education

• Paterson Teachers for Tomorrow Rising Stars Scholarship
  The Paterson Teachers for Tomorrow Rising Stars Scholarship was funded by the estate of Eleanor Reiner for students whose plans include teaching in the city of Paterson following their graduation, with preference given to students who demonstrate financial need.
  
  

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

• Vincent N. Parrillo Endowed Scholarship
  The Vincent N. Parrillo Endowed Scholarship was created by Dr. Vincent Parrillo for a full- or part-time graduate student majoring in sociology who has completed at least six graduate credits in the program, maintains a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and displays financial need (not necessarily defined by the federal government).
  
• Abe, Sarah and Gitl Bialer Opera Scholarship
  The Abe, Sarah and Gitl Bialer Opera Scholarship was funded by Tami Cotsakos ’71 in honor of her aunts and uncle for a full-time student who is majoring in music performance, with a concentration in voice, and is pursuing a career in opera. Scholarship may be renewable with full-time status and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
  
  
• Amos Kaune Jazz Scholarship
  The Amos Kaune Jazz Scholarship was established by David McLean ’64 for a student in the William Paterson University jazz studies program who is in good academic standing with the University.
  
  
• Art Farmer Jazz Master Scholarship
  The Art Farmer Jazz Master Scholarship was established in memory of one of the most respected and original modern jazz trumpeters, Art Farmer. This scholarship is for a full-time undergraduate student studying jazz, with a preference for a trumpeter who demonstrates extraordinary musical talent and academic achievement with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  
  
• Better Life Foundation Endowed Music Scholarship
  The Better Life Foundation Endowed Music Scholarship was funded by the Better Life Foundation and 3 Doors Down for an incoming or matriculated full-time undergraduate student who is majoring or minoring in music management and demonstrates academic and musical achievement with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. This scholarship can be renewed should the current recipient meet the qualifications.
  
  
• Collage Concert Music Endowed Scholarship
  The Collage Concert Music Endowed Scholarship is a one-year scholarship for continuing music majors who have been enrolled for a minimum of one semester within the past academic year. Academic achievement, musical ability, and department need will be considerations when determining the recipient who will be selected with input from the entire faculty to the scholarship committee.
  
  
•  College of the Arts and Communication Student Internship Scholarship
  The College of the Arts and Communication Student Internship Scholarship was established for students enrolled in the College of the Arts and Communication who qualify for an internship.
  
  
• Edna and Walter Bandel Music Scholarship
  The Edna and Walter Bandel Music Scholarship was funded by Barbara ’78 and Richard Stomber in memory of her parents for a talented music student with preference for a student who has financial need.
  
  
• Edward A. Thompson Scholarship
  The Edward A. Thompson Scholarship was funded by Emma Thompson in memory of Edward A. Thompson ’78 for a full- or part-time undergraduate student who demonstrates outstanding talent in jazz performance and academic promise, has a GPA of at least 3.2, maintains continuous enrollment, and has a demonstrated financial need, not necessarily as defined by the federal government.
  
  
• George Ungaro Scholarship for Voice
  The George Ungaro Scholarship for Voice was funded by Susan ’75 and Colin Ungaro ’75 in memory of George Ungaro for a full-time undergraduate student who is majoring in music performance, with a concentration in voice, with a preference for a student who is studying opera, and who shows great musical promise and demonstrated financial need (not necessarily as defined by the federal government.
  
  
• Gerhard W. Vosshall Endowed Scholarship
  The Gerhard W. Vosshall Endowed Scholarship was established by Peter Vosshall in memory of his father for a student in the jazz studies program.
  
  
• Harry Leahey Jazz Scholarship
  The Harry Leahey Jazz Scholarship is funded by the family and friends of the late jazz artist and William Paterson University professor Harry Leahey for a student studying guitar in the jazz studies program.
  
  
• Howard Leighton Scholarship
  The Howard Leighton Scholarship is for a full-time undergraduate student who is a permanent resident of New Jersey, is majoring in studio art or art history and demonstrates talent and excellence in his/her chosen major. Financial need is not a criterion.
  
  
• James Williams Memorial Endowed Scholarship
  The James Williams Memorial Scholarship was created by the family, friends, and fans of the late William Paterson University jazz director James Williams for an undergraduate or graduate student who demonstrates academic and musical promise, is enrolled full-time at William Paterson University within the jazz studies program, and demonstrates academic merit based on a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  
  
• JGS Music Scholarship
  The JGS Music Scholarship was funded by Judy and Gene Stabile for a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in the jazz studies program, who exhibits vocal or instrumental proficiency, with a special interest in, and focus on swing, songbook standards, traditional jazz, and/or Broadway music.
  
  
• John F. Villani Merit Scholarship
  The John F. Villani Merit Scholarship was created by the family and friends of William Paterson University guitar student John “Jack” Villani in his memory for a full-time undergraduate student of sophomore status or higher who maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA and is studying classical guitar, with preference given to a performance major.
  
  
• Larry Gates Music Production Scholarship
  The Larry Gates Music Production Scholarship was established in memory of Larry Gates by his wife, Caryn Starr-Gates, and his daughter, Ariana Gates ’17, for a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in the sound engineering arts program, who excels in the program and who demonstrates financial need (not necessarily as defined by the federal government).
  
  
• LeRoi H. Moore Music Scholarship
  The LeRoi H. Moore Music Scholarship was created by the Bama Works Fund and the Horton Foundation in memory of the late LeRoi H. Moore, saxophonist and founding member of the Dave Matthews Band who passed away in 2008. This scholarship is for a full-time undergraduate or graduate student majoring in music who demonstrates a commitment to his/her musicianship and academics, a commitment to community and service, and financial need (not necessarily as defined by the federal government).
  
  
• Look Up and Smile Scholarship
  The Look Up and Smile Scholarship was established in memory of world-famous accordionist, teacher, composer, and arranger Charles Nunzio for full-time undergraduate students majoring in music performance, jazz studies, or music education, with a preference for an accordionist/pianist/keyboardist. The student must demonstrate musical achievement and academic achievement, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and have demonstrated financial need (not necessarily as defined by the federal government). Additional strong preference will be given to a first-generation college student.
  
  
•  Mae and Fletcher Fish Endowed Scholarship
  The Mae and Fletcher Fish Endowed Scholarship was funded by Mae and the late Fletcher Fish for an incoming graduate music major who demonstrates either outstanding music performance skills or outstanding scholarship. Part-time students may be eligible but the award will be pro-rated to the number of credits taken each semester.
  
  
• Marguerite Tiffany Art Scholarship
  The Marguerite Tiffany Art Scholarship was created in memory of emeritus associate professor of art Marguerite Tiffany for a junior art major selected by a faculty jury for the overall aesthetic quality of his/her work.
  
  
• Marlene and J. Billy VerPlanck Memorial Endowed Scholarship
  The Marlene and J. Billy VerPlanck Endowed Scholarship was funded by the late Marlene VerPlanck and the friends and fans of jazz musician J. Billy VerPlanck for a trombonist in the William Paterson University jazz studies program.
  
  
•  Martin and Joann Krivin Endowed Scholarship
  The Martin and Joann Krivin Endowed Scholarship was created in their memory by Roger and Paulette Staum for a full-time undergraduate or graduate student within the Department of Music who demonstrates academic merit (with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher), initiative, leadership, interpersonal skills, and financial need, with preference given to a student majoring in jazz studies.
  
  
• Mulgrew Miller Memorial Scholarship
  The Mulgrew Miller Memorial Scholarship was funded by family and friends of the late Mulgrew Miller, former director of William Paterson's jazz studies program, for a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in the jazz studies program who has a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  
  
• Music Department Scholarship
  The Music Department Scholarship is for students in the Department of Music who display talent, academic achievement, and/or financial need.
  
  
• Nan Guptill Crain Scholarship
  The Nan Guptill Crain Scholarship is funded by Nan Guptill Crain and her family and friends for a sophomore, junior, or first semester student who is majoring in any of the bachelor of music degree programs, classical track, and has a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference will be given to voice majors. The scholarship recipient(s) may be a continuing or transfer student and must demonstrate financial need, not necessarily as defined by the federal government. Applicants must submit an application including a statement about financial need to the Music Department. The recipient(s) will be selected by the Music Department Scholarship Committee based on the applicant's academic ability, musical talent, and financial need. Students may reapply each year by completing the application process.
  
  
• Nancy Deatz Clancy Scholarship
  The Nancy Deatz Clancy Scholarship was funded by the family and friends of Nancy Deatz Clancy in her memory. The scholarship is for a music performance major who is a classical or jazz upright bassist and who is in good academic standing, with preference given to a classical bassist. Special consideration will be given to a student from Kentucky or New Jersey who meets the above criteria. Consideration may be given to a student with financial need (not necessarily as defined by the government). If no upright bassist is eligible, then the preferred recipient can be a music performance major who is a jazz or classical guitarist. If there are no students from Kentucky or New Jersey, the recipient can be from any location.
  
  
• Rory D. Quince Endowed Scholarship
  The Rory D. Quince Endowed Scholarship was funded by Kelvin ’99 and Cora ’92 Quince and the family and friends of Rory Quince for a full-time undergraduate student in the jazz studies program with a GPA of 3.0 (as a freshman) or 3.3 (as a matriculated student) and demonstrated financial need, not necessarily defined by the federal government. Preference will be given to drummers and to African-American students. The scholarship is renewable should student continue to meet the criteria. • Roy Meyer Endowed Scholarship The Roy Meyer Endowed Scholarship was funded by the Roy Meyer Swingers musical performance group for an incoming or currently enrolled traditional undergraduate or graduate student in the Department of Music who demonstrates superior proficiency (vocal or instrumental) in the music of the swing era and the Great American Songbook, including the traditional jazz and Broadway music of that era.
  
  
• Rufus Reid Endowed Scholarship
  The Rufus Reid Endowed Scholarship was funded by James Terrile ’87 in honor of professor Rufus Reid for a student in good academic standing in the jazz studies program.
  
  
• Tami Cotsakos ’71 Music Scholarship
  The Tami Cotsakos ’71 Music Scholarship was funded by Tami Cotsakos ’71 for students who are New Jersey residents and are majoring in classical performance or any of the classical degree programs in music education, music management, or sound engineering arts, with preference given to voice or piano students majoring in music education.
  
  
• Thad Jones Memorial Endowed Scholarship
  The Thad Jones Memorial Endowed Scholarship was created by the family, friends, and fans of the late William Paterson jazz director Thad Jones for an undergraduate or graduate student who demonstrates academic and musical promise, is enrolled full-time at William Paterson University within the jazz studies program, and demonstrates academic merit based on a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

College of Science and Health

• C. Kent Warner Scholarship
  The C. Kent Warner Scholarship was created in honor of C. Kent Warner, the first chair of the Department of Science and Mathematics at Paterson State College, for a full-time undergraduate biology or biotechnology student who demonstrates superior academic achievement with a grade point average of at least 3.0.
  
  
• Diane Kalish Endowed Scholarship
  The Diane Kalish Endowed Scholarship was created in memory of professor Diane Kalish by her family and friends for a student who is enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student, demonstrates academic achievement in mathematics with a minimum GPA of 3.3, and demonstrates financial hardship, not necessarily as defined by the federal government, with preference given, but not limited to, a female student.
  
  
• Marcelo Llarull Endowed Scholarship
  The Marcelo Llarull Endowed Scholarship was created in memory of professor Marcelo Llarull by his colleagues and friends for a senior mathematics major who has completed at least 25 credits in the major with a major GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition to academic excellence, the recipient of the scholarship must have a proven record of service to the department such as tutoring in the Mathematics Learning Center, active participation in the Math Club, Math Fair, Math Awareness Week, presentation of a talk or poster at a mathematics conference, etc.
  
  
• Monroe Spivak Fellowship
  The Monroe Spivak Fellowship is awarded to a new or returning full-time graduate student who intends to pursue a career in ccology. Applications must include undergraduate transcripts and a statement that addresses the student's career goals in ecology.
  
  

HONORS COLLEGE

• Fred C. Rummel Scholarship
  The Fred C. Rummel Scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and character through community service or activities, and reside in Essex or Union counties, with preference given to financially needy students enrolled in the University Honors College. Scholarships may be renewable if a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is maintained.
  
  
• The Sandra DeYoung Endowed
  Honors Excel Scholarship was funded by Dr. Sandra DeYoung for a first-time, first-year student who demonstrates academic promise at the end of their first year and is admitted to William Paterson's Honors College, is enrolled full-time, and demonstrates financial hardship (not necessarily as defined by the federal government). This scholarship may be renewed, should the current recipient continue to meet the qualifications.
  
  

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

College of Education

• Eric and Lenore Hummel Award
  One award for a graduate student in the counseling program who has completed at least four courses and has a grade point average of 3.25 or higher.
  
  

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

• Carole Sheffield Award
  One award for a distinguished student of political science and women’s studies who also has a record of community service and activism.
  
  
• Clarice B. Jackson, Esq. Award
  One award for a second-year graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship in the master's program in public policy and international affairs.
  
  
• Helen and Philip Manno Award
  One award for the graduating senior with the highest GPA in the English department.
  
  
• History Department Awards
  One award for each of the following:
  • Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in History – for an academically outstanding history major.
  • Patricia Ripmaster Award – for an academically outstanding history major who is also pursuing a degree in elementary or secondary education.
  • Outstanding History Minor Award – for a graduating history minor who demonstrates academic excellence.
  • Livio Stecchini Essay Award – for a current history major or minor.
  
  
• Melvin and Marian Prottas Award
  One award for a junior or senior undergraduate student enrolled in the Latin American and Latino studies program who, based on the student's performance both inside and outside the classroom, is deemed most likely to have a successful and contributory career involving Latin America.
  
  
• Norma Van Dyke Award
  One award for a graduating senior majoring in women's studies who has a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major and a minimum GPA of 2.8 overall. The recipient must also exhibit evidence of community service, social activism or scholarly research.
  
  
• Paul Vouras Award for Sociology
  One award for an outstanding student in the sociology department.
  
  
• Paul Vouras Humanities Award for History
  One award for an academically outstanding senior in history who is going on for graduate work.
  
  
• Paul Vouras Humanities Award for Philosophy
  One award for an academically outstanding senior in philosophy who is going on for graduate work.
  
  
• Paul Vouras Social Science Award for Political Science
  One award for an academically outstanding senior in political science who is going on for graduate work.
  
  
• Paul Vouras Social Science Award for Psychology
  One award for an academically outstanding senior in psychology who is going on for graduate work.
  
  
• Paul Vouras Social Science Award for Sociology
  One award for an academically outstanding senior in sociology who is going on for graduate work.
  
  

College of Science and Health

• C. Kent Warner Fund Award
  Awards for students who participate in GS-LSAMP and who have the highest grade point averages.
  
  
• Sandra DeYoung Undergraduate Research Award
  One scholarship for a student who is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate at William Paterson University, majoring in one of the disciplines represented in the College of Science and Health, and engaged in undergraduate research in the College of Science and Health.