Gretchen Kaser

Gretchen Kaser is a senior Literature major concentrating in Creative Writing. She is also pursuing a minor in Political Science and has earned a 3.82 grade point average. “Gretchen is an enormously talented student whose insights into the subject and ease with which she puts her ideas to paper make her an equally talented writer,” says Literature Professor Patricia Ard. “She is a stealth scholar,” continues Dr. Ard, “Her writing is powerful, sophisticated and accomplished.” Gretchen is president of the Literature Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta and is a tutor. Gretchen is from Hillsdale, NJ.

Awarded Scholarships

2010

Simon, Dr. Ernest Book Award

Dr. Ernest Simon was a professor of Literature at Ramapo from 1973 until his retirement in 1998. A group of his former students established this fund a number of years ago to honor their teacher and benefit Ramapo seniors in the Literature major. Dr. Simon appreciated the gesture and he and his wife Christiana contributed to the fund. Mrs. Simon further enhanced the fund after Dr. Simon’s death in 2003.

“One of the things I most enjoyed about Ernie Simon was that he never tired of sharing what he knew,” says his friend and colleague, Professor Ira Spar. “He approached our discussions, his teaching, and his students with the same energy that he gave to all that he did, and I count him among the best teachers Ramapo has ever had.”

This faculty-nominated award recognizes an outstanding Literature major who shows a “commitment to reading and research.”