This award was started with a generous donation in May Weis’ memory by her son, Leonard W. Weis, Ph.D. It is a joint program between Ramapo and the New Weis Center (formerly the Weis Ecology Center) in Ringwood, New Jersey.

May Weis represented the Women’s Alliance of the American Ethical Union at the United Nations and always had an interest in the care of the environment. She created an endowment to preserve the land and buildings of the American Ethical Union’s conservancy in Ringwood, NJ, which was renamed the Weis Ecology Center in her honor.

“My mother was a graduate of Barnard College in 1912,” writes Dr. Weis. “She and my father always stressed that no one can ever take one’s education away, which is why it is so valuable.” Dr. Weis took this to heart and spent a career teaching at the University of Rhode Island, Coe College, Lawrence University and the University of Wisconsin Fox Valley. He retired after 36 years of active teaching in 1988, but continued his family’s tradition of sharing knowledge.

Dr. Weis passed away in May of 2011.

Recipients of the May Weis award participate in a paid internship at the New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation in Ringwood and receive a full tuition scholarship for one semester at Ramapo College. (Prior to applying, please review the requirements and responsibilities of the internship at highlandsnaturefriends.org/interns.html)

Back to List