Sasha Lopez

Sasha Lopez of Weehawken, NJ is an International Studies major and Human Rights and Genocide minor.  She has a 3.4 grade point average.

At Ramapo, Sasha has been active in several organizations and activities, including Organization of Latino Unity, where she serves as treasurer, and Leaders in Service. She also serves as the Secretary and Historian for Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority.

Sasha is an events intern with Amnesty International USA where she was exposed to human rights violations. She has also been involved with the International Rescue Committee, Ramapo College Alternative Spring Break (Arkansas), Ramapo College Alternative Winter Break (Costa Rica), Community Food Bank, Peer Leadership, and Oasis: Haven for Women and Children.

“Ramapo and its amazing faculty have helped make me more of a problem solver and critical thinker.  I have enjoyed the support faculty has given me in supporting my dreams to have a career in International Development.”

Awarded Scholarships

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2016

Carreras, Professor Charles Latin American Studies Scholarship

Dr. Charles Carreras was a founding member of the Ramapo College faculty in 1971, two years after the College’s establishment. Over the next 37 years, he taught courses and presented papers on Latin American history, culture, human rights and the region’s relationship with the United States. In addition to Latin America, Dr. Carreras’ research interests centered around Mexico and the local history of Mahwah, N.J.

“I came to Ramapo to pursue Latin American studies and devoted almost 40 years to educating students about Central and South America,” says Dr. Carreras. After his retirement in 2008, Dr. Carreras created a gift annuity that will endow this scholarship fund. The Carreras Scholarship benefits matriculated Ramapo students who have completed 9 or more credits on Latin American history, culture, literature, and related disciplines. It is selected by the Carreras family and members of the Ramapo College faculty.

“With this gift, I can continue to support Latin American Studies at Ramapo, even in retirement,” Dr. Carreras says.

Garber, Jackie and Paul Scholarship

Jackie Fain Garber graduated from Ramapo College in 1975 and became a kindergarten and Montessori teacher. In 2001 she and her husband Paul decided to start an annual scholarship to recognize good students with financial need who may need a little help in paying their college costs. “I’ve gotten so much from my Ramapo education,” Jackie said at the time, “I would like to give back.” Students who receive the Garber Scholarships can be studying any discipline, but must demonstrate financial need and be in good academic standing.  Sadly, Mr. Garber died in March, 2014.

Biener, Marcel Scholarship

In 2010 Dr. Alexander Biener created this scholarship in honor of his father, Marcel Biener. Marcel, who passed away in 2012, was a Holocaust survivor by virtue of Jagendorf’s Foundry, a factory that kept thousands of Jews alive. Marcel was fluent in seven languages and was able to parlay his language skills into a career as an engineering professor in Romania and Israel, before moving his family to America.

“The purpose of this scholarship is to further the understanding of survival from genocide,” says Dr. Biener. “It is offered in the hope that talking about the roots of genocide, such as bigotry and lack of education, remembering the terrible instances and celebrating the survivors, regardless of how they survived, will bring us one step further from letting this happen again.”

“This scholarship is offered to students who demonstrate interest, understanding, and compassion in these matters or who plan, through community service, or service in the Peace Corps or our armed forces, to help oppressed people everywhere. In giving to others, we hope to demonstrate the strength of the human spirit — to overcome — and that even one life saved can open a whole new universe. In fostering remembrance and study of the past, we hope to strengthen the abilities and resolve of our youth to seek a better future for all.”

Dormer, Stephen J. Memorial Scholarship

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen G. Dormer established this scholarship in memory of their son, Stephen, who passed away in April 2013. Family and friends wanted to remember Stephen and honor his memory with the creation of this endowed scholarship in his name.

Stephen John Dormer was a Business Administration major in the Anisfield School of Business.  He transferred to Ramapo College after attending Rockland Community College.  Stephen was a model student, academically strong and focused in the classroom.

Stephen played team sports throughout his life but especially cherished the camaraderie that grew from the experience of being with others as part of a team. He also enjoyed camping, mountain biking, dirt bike and motorcycle riding and was a certified scuba diver, Most importantly, he was kind and a champion of those who were marginalized, excluded or who experienced discrimination of any kind.

The Stephen J. Dormer Memorial Scholarship will leave a legacy for him in an environment where he was flourishing. The scholarship will also provide an inspiration and an opportunity for a transfer student to achieve their goal of an undergraduate degree.

 

Fowler, Kay Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Kay L. Fowler, Ph.D., M.A., FT, G.C.-C., was a full professor of Gerontology and Women’s Studies at Ramapo College. Over her 25-year career, Dr. Fowler taught a wide variety of courses and authored numerous publications in the fields of English Literature, Science Fiction, Gender Studies and Thanatology. At her death in 2012, members of the Ramapo College community joined Dr. Fowler’s husband, Bob Dilly, in contributing to a scholarship in her name. The scholarship is an acknowledgement of Kay’s passion for creative expression, social justice and the transformative power of learning.
To honor Dr. Fowler’s academic interests as well as her commitment to human diversity, the Fowler scholarship is intended for students in any discipline who are interested in making a social impact. The award seeks to recognize individuals who are pursuing areas of study that treat diversity in its broadest definition, including a global perspective. Whenever possible, it is the intention of the scholarship to also recognize students from underrepresented groups, female students, and students with financial need.