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Needham, Robert Sydney Memorial Scholarship

Please note earlier closing date of 9/10/23 for this scholarship.

The Robert Sydney Needham Memorial Foundation Scholarship is administered through Wells Fargo, and awards scholarships to students at New Jersey colleges and universities.  The awards are intended to recognize students who are graduates of a New Jersey high school, active in community service and campus leadership and have demonstrated financial need.

To be eligible, students must fill out an application and write an essay describing the details of their community service and campus leadership.

  • Full time student
  • Sophomore, junior or senior
  • Graduate of a New Jersey High School
  • G.P.A. of 3.3 or above
  • Be actively involved in community service and campus leadership
  • Have significant financial need based on the FAFSA.

Scholarship application is closed for this semester.


2024 Recipient

Faith Duncan

Faith Duncan of Parsippany, N.J. is a Visual Communication Design major with an ever-increasing interest in Marketing. She has a 4.0 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List for both semesters during her freshman year. She intends to make the list for the remainder of her undergraduate career.

At Ramapo, Faith has participated in the Leaders in Service program for 2022, becoming a new guide for freshman students via the Peer Facilitation program, and being inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success in 2023. Having the honor of becoming a well-known and trusted individual on campus warms her heart and drives her to do the best she can every day.

Faith has also volunteered with programs affiliated with Morris Arts of Morristown, NJ. Being an active member of her community, especially lifting up young girls of color, is a priority for Faith, as one day she seeks to start her own initiative to bring power and confidence to children within the Black community.



2022 Recipient

Ashley Gomez

Ashley Gomez is a junior Law and Society major with a Human Rights and Genocide minor. She is a proud first generation college student with a 3.73 GPA and has made the Dean’s List several times. 

Ashley has been a Resident Assistant since her sophomore year and is a second year returning Peer Facilitator. Additionally, she is a member of Black Student Union and is the School of SSHS School Senator for the Student Government Association. She is also the Recruitment Chair for Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. 

After graduating from Ramapo, Ashley hopes to attend law school and eventually become an immigration attorney.



2021 Recipient

Cindy Lam

Cindy Lam a second-year Biology major from Parsippany, N.J. She is in the Honors Program and is on the Honors Student Executive Board. Additionally, she is the Sergeant at Arms for the United Asian Association, President of the Biology Club, and is a Ramapo Admission Student Ambassador. 

Cindy recently served on the state board for the New Jersey District of Key Club as the Lieutenant Governor of Division 22. She oversaw seven Key Clubs and promoted leadership in community service. 

Off-campus, Cindy serves her community by donating hand-made greeting cards to local children specialized hospitals and volunteers as a patient-transparent at Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital. Whenever she travels back to Vietnam, she can be found at the Ho Chi Minh Food Pantry serving soup to the elders, ill, and anyone in need of help.

In the future, Cindy plans to attend medical school and travel to developing countries where she can aid those in need and create more healthcare opportunities.



2019 Recipient

Kathryn Cabrera

Kathryn Cabrera of Egg Harbor City, N.J. is a Biology major with a minor in Anthropology. She is currently a junior with a 3.99 GPA.

At Ramapo, Kathryn has been active in the Beekeeping Club, where she serves as President, as well as 1Step, and the Peer Facilitation program.

She is part of the New Jersey Beekeeping Association (NJBA) and recently interned with the Rockland Conservation and Service Corps, where she worked alongside of the Division of Environmental Resources and the Drainage agency to maintain and assess the trails and streams throughout Rockland County. In the future, Kathryn hopes to attend graduate school to further her education in biology.


2017 Recipient

Joshua Young

Joshua Young of Hackensack, NJ is an Engineering Physics major. He has a GPA of 3.395. He made the Dean’s List in fall of 2015 and was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

Joshua plays intramural soccer at Ramapo and is a member of the Black Student Union (BSU).

Off campus, he volunteers for the American Heart Association and Teaneck Tutoring at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

On learning of his scholarship, Joshua, who hopes to go to medical school and become a surgeon, wrote “I will do my best and work hard to make sure that this award given to me will not go to waste. I hope to one day to also give back to the community just as you have done for me.”


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