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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.

  • Any school, any major
  • Intended for students from underrepresented groups, female students and students with financial need
  • Students interested in making a social impact
  • Essay should focus on diversity in its broadest definition, including a global perspective. Human diversity includes, but is not limited to, age, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, physical or mental abilities and disabilities, socio-economic status, viewpoint differences (e.g., political), sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin.

Scholarship application is closed for this semester.


2024 Recipient

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.


2023 Recipient

​​Amanda Rae Reece

​​Amanda Rae Reece of Hillsborough, N.J. graduated from Ramapo with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and is in the master’s of Social Work program. She has a 4.0 GPA and has been consistently on the Dean’s list. Amanda is an Honors College Alumni, 2022 recipient of the Social Work Academic Excellence Award, and graduated from her undergraduate program Summa Cum Laude.

Amanda has been active at Ramapo, including her jobs in the Civic and Community Engagement Center and as the Graduate Assistant for the Social Work Programs. She has helped organize and host countless events such as the OXFAM Hunger Banquet, a simulation for students to experience the reality of global poverty. Amanda is also proud of her independent study she completed her senior year titled “Solutions to the Motherhood Wage Penalty.”

She interned at Bergen’s Promise, a child welfare organization and with Governor Phil Murphy’s office as an aide to the Governor. “I hope to work on developing policy to better address the problem of domestic violence after I receive my masters degree.”



2022 Recipient

Kaitlyn White

Kaitlyn White of Wantage, N.J. is a Computer Science major and Math minor. She has a 3.9 GPA and has made the Dean’s List every semester. 

At Ramapo, Katie has been active in several organizations and activities, including Females in STEM, where serves as President, and the Honors Program, where she was involved as an Honors Development Group Leader. 

Katie has also been involved in off–campus activities and organizations, including MFA Financial where she was a Programmer/Analyst Intern.



2021 Recipient

Cristina Navarrete Carpizo

Cristina Navarrete Carpizo is studying Visual Communication Design and Global Communication and Media. Bilingual in Spanish and English, she is originally from Mexico City and has been living in the U.S. since 2018.

At Ramapo, Cristina has been active in ALMA, the Visual Arts Society and the Spanish Club. Off campus, she is involved with ISKCON of N.J. and Huellitas Bosque Real, Mexico City.

She hopes to one day become a nurse or copywriter.



2020 Recipient

Amy Jaglowski

Amy Jaglowski of Dunellen, N.J. is a Nursing major. She has a 3.61 GPA, is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, and is a Dean’s Scholarship recipient.

At Ramapo, Amy is active in Leaders in Service, S.A.I.L., the Nursing Student Organization, Ramapo Readers and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. She works off campus as the head counselor at a youth theater camp, serving as a teacher and stage manager. Upon graduating from Ramapo College with a BSN, she plans to attend graduate school to earn an MSN.



2019 Recipient

Mariella Zijdel

“I’m passionate about improving education for professors and other college faculty about diversity and LGBTQ+ issues,” says Mariella Zijdel of Gillette, N.J.  Mariella is a Social Work major with a double minor in Women’s and Gender Studies and Substance Use Disorders.  She holds a 3.5 GPA.

At Ramapo, Mariella has been active in Leaders in Service, Sophomores Advancing in Leadership, and currently serves as Alternate Student Trustee on the Ramapo College Board of Trustees.  She is a Resident Assistant at the College Park Apartments.  Mariella is also a Diversity Peer Educator through the Office of Equity and Diversity and is an active volunteer for the Women’s Center.  Off campus, Mariella has been a teacher and camp counselor at ‘t Klokhuis, an afterschool Dutch language learning program.  She also has volunteered at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center.

After graduation, Mariella plans to attend graduate school for social work or higher education Administration. “I am proud to be a part of many important organizations on campus and plan on using my experiences to induct change in the world,” she adds.



2018 Recipient

Graciela Montero

Graciela Montero of Clifton, N.J. is currently completing her Masters in Social Work. She has a 3.85 GPA. She is on the Dean’s list and is a member of the National Honor Society Phi Alpha. She also volunteers as a mentor for adolescents with behavioral and emotional problems.

At Ramapo, Graciela has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Social Work Club. She has also held internships at Alternatives to Domestic Violence, West Bergen Mental Healthcare and the Counseling Center at Fair Lawn. She also works as a residential worker for people with Schizophrenia, as a tutor at Passaic Community College and an emergency service specialist at Alternative to Domestic Violence.

Graciela has a passion for working with adults with chronic mental illnesses and trauma. After graduation she will be pursuing her LSW and LCSW with the goal to open her own practice to work with adolescents, adults and couples who’ve experienced trauma.

 


2016 Recipient

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.”



2015 Recipient

Donna Elazar

Donna Elazar of Fair Lawn, N.J. is a psychology major and an environmental studies minor. She also completed the requirements for the Business Essentials Certificate. She was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society and the Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society. Donna has a 3.91grade point average.

At Ramapo, Donna has served in a variety of leadership positions in Alpha Phi Omega, the National Service Fraternity. She is vice president of the Yoga Club and volunteers with the Civic and Community Engagement Center. She is a student ambassador and has worked as a tutor and a peer facilitator. Donna works as a student aide in the campus library.

Donna’s plans are to help others lead happier, healthier lives through yoga, meditation, psychology and nutrition.



2014 Recipient

Misha Choudhry

Misha Choudhry of Montville, NJ is a Literature major and a Spanish Language Studies minor.  She has a 3.96 grade point average.

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