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Lakeland Bank Scholarship

The purpose of the Lakeland Bank Scholarship is to recognize Ramapo college students who are from the bank’s service area, and who are pursuing a degree in business.  To be eligible, students must be majoring in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting and must be from counties served by the bank (Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren, Union, and Orange County, N.Y.).

Employees of Lakeland Bank raise these funds to show their personal commitment to giving back to the community and supporting education. Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors Vice Chairman Thomas Shara is President and CEO of the Bank.

    Criteria: Employees of Lakeland Bank and their families are not eligible for this scholarship.
  • Major in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Demonstrated financial need as determined by Foundation policy

Scholarship application is closed for this semester.


2023 Recipient

Jason Speck

Jason Speck of Butler, N.J. is a sophomore Finance major with a 3.8 GPA. During his time at Ramapo, he has been on the Dean’s List every semester. His career goal is to graduate with a degree in Finance and become a Financial Analyst.

Jason has been actively involved in the Roadrunner Financial Group. The group invests in the market with real money, holds weekly meetings to discuss the portfolio, and makes pitches for the group to invest in. “I was voted to serve on the Investment Committee within the club, which has become one of my proudest accomplishments.” Jason was also involved in the Ukraine Charity Basketball Match, a fundraising event designed to raise money to help the people of Ukraine. 

Off-campus, Jason is the appointed leader of Pack 101 in the Boy Scouts of America.



2022 Recipient

Brandon Hemmer

Brandon Hemmer of Wantage, N.J. is an Accounting Major and Criminology Minor with a 3.3 GPA. Brandon also was on the Dean’s List for Spring 2020.

At Ramapo, Brandon has been active in several organizations and activities, including Residence Life, the Peer Facilitation Program, and Roadrunner Financial Group. 

Brandon says “I love helping people in everything I do, which all of these organizations provide me the opportunity with.” 

Brandon plans to intern at Withum-Smith and Brown this summer, and has goals to eventually become a forensic accountant.



2021 Recipient

Jacqueline Weiss

Jacqueline Weiss is a senior Accounting major from Sussex, N.J. who plans on receiving her Master’s in Accounting from Ramapo College. She volunteers at her church and with local food drives during her free time.


2020 Recipient

Jelena Melnichenko

Jelena Melnichenko of Garfield, N.J. is an Accounting major with a 4.0 GPA. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Judith K. Winn School of Honors. Jelena is also a student member of NJCPA (New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants).

Along with being a mother of two children, she works full-time as an administrative assistant in the accounting field. She has also volunteered her time at Center for Food Action.

Jelena plans to complete her degree in Accounting and become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). “From an early age, I had a passion for mathematics and enjoyed working with numbers,” she says.  “Now, I have a great opportunity to turn my passion into a profession that I’ll truly enjoy.”



2019 Recipient

Harry Shin

Harry Shin of Palisades Park, N.J. is a Marketing major with a focus in Finance. He maintains a 3.8 GPA, is on the Dean’s List, and is a member of the Golden Key Honor Society. He plans to utilize marketing and finance knowledge in venture capitalism after graduation. While at Bergen Community College, Harry maintained a 3.6 GPA, and was Chairman of Public Relations for the Student Government Association.

At Ramapo, Harry is an active member of the Roadrunner Financial Group and Enactus. He enhances his education by being a Marketing Research Assistant for Professor Chung and recently presented his marketing research at the COPLAC conference. Harry works as a professional tutor, teaching statistics, marketing, macroeconomics, calculus, and business writing. He also dedicates his time to others by being a children’s swimming instructor. Harry is a youth leader and is responsible for children’s sermon, bible study, and coordinating volunteering services. He has participated in several internships and plans for a future career in marketing in the financial industry.



2018 Recipient

Michelle Tunney

Michelle Tunney is an Accounting major from River Edge, N.J. She is a member of the College Honors Program and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. She has made the Dean’s list three times in the past two years.

On campus, Michelle is very active as the treasurer of Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity and the Vice President of the Ramapo College Enactus team. She has also participated in multiple leadership programs such as “Leaders in Service” and SAIL (Sophomores Advancing in Leadership).

Michelle furthers her love for being involved on campus by working at the Center for Student Involvement as the student manager of the CSI Design office. She is excited to study in Paris during the Fall 2018 semester.

After graduation she hopes to pursue her master’s degree and become a CPA.



2017 Recipient

Monica Torres

Monica Torres of Waldwick, NJ is an Accounting major and International Business minor. She has a 3.3 GPA. Monica was awarded Deans List Fall of 2016.

At Ramapo, Monica has been active in several organizations and activities, including Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Team, and Accounting Club.  She served as professional and inter-chapter chair for Alpha Kappa Psi.

Monica has also been involved in off –campus activities and organizations, including volunteering at Hackensack Hospital and studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain.  She has also gained experience in two internships, one in audit and the other in forensic accounting. Monica has accepted a full time job in Auditing starting in the Fall of 2017.



2016 Recipient

Jacek Hasaj

Jacek Hasaj of Clifton, NJ  is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Finance, and a minor in International Business. He has a 3.65 GPA and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma in the spring of 2015.  Jacek was also offered membership for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and Golden Key International Honour Society.

At Ramapo, Jacek has been active in the Civic and Community Engagement Center and Relay for Life.

Jacek has also volunteered at St. Joseph’s Church and completed internship programs at the Passaic Valley Water Commission in both the Finance and Engineering Departments.


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