Jessica Minzner

Jessica Minzner of Pittstown, NJ has combined her two loves: graphic design and literature. Last summer, she worked with an independent author to publish a technical book with Amazon. Jessica edited and proofread the text, designed the cover, edited the graphics and did the layout. “Not only is this book the author’s baby, but it’s also mine,” she said. Her humor was reflected in the writing sample, “How to Work at McDonald’s,” which she submitted as part of her scholarship application. In the letter of recommendation by the Convener of Literature, Edward Shannon, Ph.D., said: “How good is her writing? It’s funny. It’s gutsy. It’s short, sharp and shocking.” That is quite an endorsement. Jessica has a 4.0 grade point average.

Awarded Scholarships

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2015

François, Martha E. Memorial Scholarship

Martha E. François, Ph.D. was vice president for academic affairs and professor of history at Ramapo from 1981 to 1983. Along with Pam Bischoff and Nancy Mackin, she was one of the first group of women to hold a chief administrative post at the College.

A magna cum laude graduate of Wells College, she held a master’s degree in history from Mount Holyoke College and a Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. Before coming to Ramapo, Dr. François was a professor of history and dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. Earlier she was a professor of history and a member of the graduate faculty at Northeastern University, dean of freshmen and sophomores at Wellesley College and an instructor in history at Hollins College.

She lectured and published extensively both in this country and abroad on women’s studies, medieval history and higher education. She was active in numerous professional associations including the American Association for Higher Education, the American Association of University Women, the Indiana Academy of Social Sciences and the American History Association.

During her tenure at Ramapo, Dr. François initiated the College Honors Program, the annual convocation for outstanding students and several new academic programs including the Computer Science major. At the time of her death she was working to establish the Law and Society major and Ramapo’s first master’s program, the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies.

“Loyalty to family, friends, colleagues, integrity, a dedication to scholarship and a love of learning and friendship — these were singular — never compromised,” said her friend Dr. Irene Nichols of Northeastern University at Dr. François’ memorial service. The Martha E. François Memorial Scholarship recognizes a Ramapo student of high academic achievement.

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2014

Lally, Garvin 84 Writer's Scholarship

Garvin Lally graduated from Ramapo in 1984 and became a freelance writer. He started as an Economics major and graduated with a degree in Communications. The oldest of five children, his sister Gina recalls that he published a paperback book of poetry. He met his wife, Julie on a business trip to China, while working and writing for a college life magazine called DORM.

Tragically, Garvin died at age 28 in an airplane crash in Chile, South America in 1991. His wife Julie established this scholarship in Garvin’s memory to perpetuate his love for writing and for Ramapo College. Gina says Garvin would deeply encourage any student that has a passion for writing to do so. “It is a powerful vehicle for self-expression that can not only be beneficial to the writer, but also can give others an intimate experience, understanding, hope, laughter, love, and so much else.”

Candidates must demonstrate a strong interest in writing, literature or poetry.