Kelly Grapentine

“Working as a resident assistant in Pine Hall and being a peer facilitator for first-year students cemented my decision to enter the teacher education program,” says Kelly Grapentine. Kelly is a senior majoring in history while pursuing teacher certification in social studies. She has earned a 3.74 grade point average. Last year she participated in a semester exchange at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Kelly has been a volunteer with the Student Literacy Corps, Relay for Life, and at The Hermitage. She is Vice President of the Student Government Association and is involved in the American Democracy Project. “If I were not becoming a teacher, I would have tried to be a politician,” she says. “I love making people excited, and hearing their concerns and then doing something about it.”

Awarded Scholarships

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2009

Annunziato, Melissa Memorial Scholarship

Early in the summer of 2002, Ramapo College junior Melissa Annunziato was tragically killed in a car accident.  Melissa’s mother, her colleagues, friends, and neighbors sought to establish a permanent legacy to Melissa, her spirit, and beliefs. They spearheaded an effort to raise funds to start an endowed scholarship fund at Ramapo and held an event in February 2003 to celebrate Melissa’s life.

At Ramapo, Melissa was a Literature major working toward teacher certification in Elementary Education. She was committed to community service, worked in the teacher education office and was active in the student organization, Future Educators of America. This award recognizes students with a similar commitment and is open to students who participate in service-learning opportunities or alternative spring break programs, particularly those who are interested in working with children.

Hermitage History Scholar

The Hermitage is an historic house museum located near to the College in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. George Washington visited the house during the Revolutionary War and the house was the site of the marriage of Aaron Burr and Theodosia Prevost. Ramapo history faculty have used The Hermitage as a resource, as well as Ramapo students. To honor this relationship and recognize Ramapo history students who are conducting research at The Hermitage, Delight Dodyk, Ph.D., president of The Hermitage Board of Trustees, established this award in 2000.

No student worked at The Hermitage during the 2013- 2014 academic year.

Palazzotto, Dominick Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded in Spring 2024. Please check often for application opening dates. 

One of the founding members of the Ramapo College faculty, Dominick Palazzotto served Ramapo in a number of capacities, most notably as director of the School of International Affairs, director of American and International Studies and convener of the History faculty. “Most important,” wrote Sydney Weinberg, a fellow History professor, “Dom was a master teacher who cared deeply about the students he worked with during his many years at Ramapo.” Contributions from Ramapo faculty, staff, alumni and members of Professor Palazzotto’s family created this endowed fund, which honors his memory while recognizing outstanding students in history.