Mary Nelson

Mary Nelson of Mahwah, N.J. is an Elementary Education major with a concentration in Special Education and a minor in Contemplative Studies. Her GPA is 2.84 and is most proud of earning her Gold Award at Ramapo, where she made an educational video for teachers and administrators on how they can assist and support students who have Neurofibromatosis (NF) and other learning disabilities. 

She is an active member of the Future Teachers of Ramapo club.

“After graduation, I hope to use my major, and the knowledge and the experience I’ve gained at Ramapo to teach students and give them the tools they need to succeed.”

Anthony Bertollo

Anthony Bertollo of Hawthorne, N.J. is a Digital Filmmaking major and has a 4.0 GPA. Anthony enjoys editing and writing as he feels both endeavors allow him to express his creativity and create projects he is proud of.  

At Ramapo, Anthony is an active member of the cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field teams. Anthony loves to run as he finds it incredibly therapeutic and allows him to push himself beyond his limits. While participating in cross country at his previous institution, Anthony placed in the top seven at the NJCAA Regional Championships and was awarded First Team All-Region for this accomplishment. 

Anthony also works as a summer camp counselor at the Boys & Girls Club of Hawthorne, New Jersey. He supervises young children and plans activities for them to participate in throughout the day. Anthony truly enjoys working with children and hopes to continue this occupation for the foreseeable future.

After graduation, Anthony plans to pursue a career as either a cinematographer or screenwriter and hopes that he can indulge in an occupation he will enjoy for years to come.

Jay Greer

Jay Greer of Wayne, N.J. is a Social Work major. He has a 3.65 GPA and has been active in the Social Work Club at Ramapo.

“I am proud of  earning my jiu-jitsu blue belt because I had to train hard consistently several times a week, every week for a full year,” says Jay, who trains at Savarese Jiu-Jitsu. He also works with a young adult on the spectrum through Public Partnership.

“I am so passionate about social work because I have been in the clients’ shoes, and I want to help people like myself to reach the same remission that I have.” Jay plans to attend the MSW program at Ramapo, and then work in a psychiatric inpatient unit or intensive outpatient program to gain some experience. His ultimate career goal is to open up a private therapy practice.

Anonymous

The recipient of this award would like to remain anonymous.

Jamie Bosse

Jamie Lynn Bosse is an Elementary Education major from Pequannock, N.J. She has been active in many organizations and activities, such as Future Teachers of America and the Active Minds club. Off campus, she has worked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Amy Alexander

Amy Alexander is a Social Work major with a 3.9 GPA from Clifton, N.J. Before her transfer to Ramapo, she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Honors Program, and worked as a peer -mentor for students on her campus. Currently, she’s en-route to attain a Master of Social Work degree and ultimately gain her Licensed Clinical Social Worker certification. 

Amy has been working with adults of various intellectual disabilities for four years at two different job sites. She is also interning with Ramapo’s Pandemic Assessment Team, advocating for students within the campus.

Ogechi Ofodike

Ogechi Ofodike of Springfield, N.J. is a senior Chemistry major. She is a proud member of the EOF Program and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society.

Ogechi is a member of the Black Student Union, a volunteer for the Violence Intervention Peer Program, and the President of Ebony Women for Social Change. As President, she advocates for women’s rights and supports women in their social and academic endeavors.

Off campus, she volunteers as a caregiver at the Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, N.J.

After graduating, Ogechi plans to attend medical school to become a pediatrician and eventually open a women and children’s health center for people from disadvantaged communities. 

Cassidy DeMona

Cassidy DeMona of Wyckoff, N.J. is an Elementary Education major with minors in Psychology and Literary Studies, and she plans on getting her Masters in Special Education. She has a 3.88 GPA and is a member of the College Honors Program, Kappa Delta Pi Honors Society for Educators, and Tau Sigma Transfers Honors Society.

Cassidy is a sister of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, where she serves as the Community Service Chair. She is on the executive board of the Residence Hall Council and is the Social and Service Chair for Tau Sigma.

In 2015, Cassidy founded Invisible No More Foundation, a non-profit organization to help children with life-altering illnesses. She was named one of the 22 Under 22 Most Inspiring College Women of 2018 by HerCampus. She works at a local organization serving children with special needs and is a counselor at French Woods Sports and Arts Center.

Rachel Coakley

Rachel Coakley of New Milford, N.J. is a Social Work major. She graduated from Bergen Community College with an honors diploma and transferred to Ramapo to complete her undergraduate degree in 2017. She graduated summa cum laude in May 2019 and is now working toward her Master of Social Work advanced standing degree at Ramapo.

Rachel has remained on the Dean’s List throughout her college career and is a member of eight college honor societies including Phi Theta Kappa, Psi Beta, Tau Sigma, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Golden Key International Honour Society, Chi Alpha Epsilon, Phi Alpha, and Omicron Delta Kappa. She has a 4.0 GPA.

She is passionate about helping others and has been involved in the non-profit organization ArtWorks, which provides access to the arts for children in hospitals who face chronic and life-limiting illnesses.

Post-graduation, Rachel plans to begin working toward her Ph.D. in social work so she may eventually pursue a career in post-secondary education and teach the future generation of social workers.

Noelle Gizzi

Noelle Gizzi of West Caldwell, N.J., is a Theatre major with an acting concentration. She has a 3.9 GPA, and has been on the Dean’s List both at Ramapo and at her transfer institution, Adelphi University.

At Ramapo, Noelle has been very active in the theatre department, where she has performed in productions such as The Sonic Life of a Giant Tortoise and Medea and Medea/For Medea. She also tried her hand at film this past spring when she acted in the student film Exit 63.

Noelle has participated in four Group Mission trips and volunteered at the Caldwell United Methodist Church. In the future Noelle hopes to become both a working actor and a published author.

Michael Rogers

Michael Rogers of Secaucus, N.J. is a sophomore Nursing major.  Michael has been involved in off-campus volunteer activities, including Bible education work with Jehovah’s Witnesses. In addition, he serves as a lifeguard in his community. He currently works as a licensed CHHA (Certified Home Health Aide) caring for elderly patients with long-term disabilities. “After I graduate, I hope to use my degree to give back to the community as a nurse and volunteer advocate for elderly patients.”

Sebastian Kwiatkowski

“As my undergraduate studies come to an end, I could not be more grateful for this scholarship, which has allowed me to focus on my studies, do well academically, take part in clubs and focus on my future,” says Sebastian Kwiatkowski of Hewitt, N.J.

Sebastian is a Law and Society major with a Psychology minor. He has a 3.3 GPA, made the Dean’s List, and was inducted into Chi-Alpha Epsilon.  Post-graduation he would like to pursue a MBA or attend law school.  Sebastian has worked at Staples as an office supplies associate for several years.

Allan Day Chapman

“Through my own experiences with trauma, my intention is to fuse my passion for the arts, daily spiritual practice, appreciation of the natural world, activist philosophies and desire to assist others into a rewarding career change,” says Allan Day Chapman.  Allan is one of only two hundred nationwide recipients of Phi Theta Kappa’s Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship in 2016.

Allan serves as co-chair, DJ, and coordinator of The Barefoot Boogie, a nonprofit organization that hosts substance-free community dance events in NYC.  He also currently facilitates a twice-weekly interactive music session at the Fairview Center for Senior Citizens, and drums for local meditation groups.

After completing his Social Work undergraduate degree, he plans to earn his MSW and clinical licensure in order to serve underserved communities.

Allan is from Fairview, N.J. and has a 4.0 GPA.

Leah Rose Schwebel

Leah Rose Schwebel of Bridgewater, New Jersey is a Psychology major and a Sociology minor. She has a 3.60 GPA.

At Ramapo, Leah has been active in several organizations and activities, including PanHellenic Delegate of Alpha Sigma Alpha, President of Active Minds, and Vice President of Psi Chi. She has also been recently inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society.

Leah has been involved in many off-campus organizations as well. They include helping out at Children’s Specialized Hospital, and working as a group Aide at West Bergen Mental Healthcare.  Following graduation, Leah plans to attend a Doctoral program for Clinical Psychology and one day become a child psychologist.

Holly Gorin

Holly Gorin of Allendale, NJ is a Biology major with a concentration in physical therapy. She has a 4.0 GPA.

At Ramapo, Holly is a tutor for Fundamentals of Biology. Inspired by her little sister with Down syndrome, she aspires to be a physical therapist that works with children with special needs.

Kelly Gasnick

Kelly Gasnick of Park Ridge, NJ is a Nursing major with a 3.5 GPA. She has been a Dean’s List student for both the Spring and Fall 2015 semesters and was inducted into the National Society for Collegiate Scholars.

Kelly remains active off campus as a volunteer EMT for Triboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, demonstrating leadership capabilities as a Crew Chief. She also keeps busy volunteering as a puppy raiser for the Seeing Eye of Morristown.

Bonnie LaBar

Bonnie LaBar is a senior majoring in Social Work. She is a returning adult student with an associate’s degree from Rockland Community College. Bonnie has had fieldwork placements at Elant at Goshen, a subacute health care residence for adults, and System of Care, a social services agency for youth ages 5-21 in Orange County. After graduation, Bonnie plans to continue her studies in Social Work at the master’s level. Bonnie and her husband have three children and live in Tuxedo, NY.

This scholarship means kindness, generosity, and compassion for others. It is a very special and appreciated gift! Thank you.

Kristen Sellix

Kristen Sellix is a senior majoring in Social Work. She has earned a 3.56 grade point average. Last summer Kristen was an intern at a social service agency in Bergen County. Kristen is from Wayne, NJ.

This scholarship will help me better afford graduate school where I will further my knowledge of the Social Work profession. With this level of education I hope to help as many people as possible in my field.

Garrett McConville

Garrett McConville is from Dumont, NJ. In high school he was a member of the soccer team and a pole vaulter for the track team. He was an officer in the Peer Leaders Club. He was an active volunteer for his church and led a group of his peers on visits to a school for disabled children. Garrett is a freshman with a 3.85 grade point average.