Skip to Scholarships site navigationSkip to main content

Buczek, Police Officer Michael J. Memorial Scholarship

Make a Donation

This scholarship will be awarded in Spring 2024. Please check often for application opening dates. 

Michael John Buczek attended Ramapo College and then went on to become a New York City Police Officer in Washington Heights in Manhattan.

After answering a routine call on October 18, 1988, Officer Buczek and his partner stopped four men who were fleeing from a drug robbery. During the ensuing scuffle, one of the men shot and killed Officer Buczek. He was 24 years old. In 2003 the men who shot Michael Buczek and his partner were tried and convicted.

Soon after Officer Buczek’s death his father, Ted Buczek, began a determined effort to bring his son’s killers to justice and honor his son’s memory. In the process, Ted Buczek recruited government officials at all levels, police officials, and religious leaders. Thanks to Mr. Buczek’s tireless efforts, a baseball field, park and school in Washington Heights are named for his son, as well as scholarship funds at DePaul Catholic High School and Ramapo College. Mr. Buczek passed away in December 2010 at the age of 84.

The Police Officer Michael J. Buczek Memorial Scholarship recognizes students with a strong interest in law enforcement, who are planning a career in law enforcement or are Law and Society majors. Recipients must be residents of New York or New Jersey.

  • For students with a strong interest in law enforcement, planning on a law enforcement career or a Law and Society major
  • GPA of 3.5+
  • NY or NJ resident
  • Recipient selected by a committee of faculty from each school and the Office of the Provost

Scholarship application is closed for this semester.


2022 Recipient

Anjali Patel

Anjali Patel of Woodbridge, N.J. is a Senior Law and Society Major with triple-minors in Political Science, American Studies, and Civic and Community Leadership. She has a 3.9 GPA and has made the Dean’s List every semester. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and the Honors Program.

At Ramapo, Anjali has been active in several organizations and activities, including the Student Government Association, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority as the Chapter Secretary, and Democracy Matters Club. Anjali was elected as President of the Student Government Association in May of 2020, reelected in May of 2021. “I am proud to currently be advocating and representing the interests of the student body for her second term,” says Anjali.

Anjali is also an Editor for the Ramapo College Journal of Law and Society, a Peer Tutor of the Office of Specialized Services, and an SGA Ambassador for Unity: The Student Voice Platform. Over the past summer, she interned with the State Government Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. “After graduating, I hope to work or intern in the law or political field as I prepare to go to law school in hopes of becoming an entertainment and media lawyer, and then eventually getting involved with government and politics,” says Anjali.



2021 Recipient

Anonymous

The recipient of this award would like to remain anonymous.


2020 Recipient

Stephanie Guzman

Raised in Guttenberg, N.J., Stephanie Guzman is a senior Business major with a concentration in Finance and a minor in International Business. She has a 3.7 GPA and is in the Honors Program. Last semester, she studied abroad in South Korea where she attended Korea University. She is currently the SARM (Student Activities Revenue Management) Student Manager on campus within the Center for Student Involvement.

At Ramapo, she has served as Secretary for the Model United Nations, is currently the Treasurer for the Association for Latinos Moving Ahead, and has served on the Admissions Team and E-Board for the Honors Program. She has also volunteered at the Hoboken Homeless Shelter, Jersey City Medical Center, MEVO, and House on the Hill.

Stephanie was a part of the Citi Bank Early ID Mentorship program and has previously worked at two law offices. She plans on pursuing law school after graduation.



2019 Recipient

Melanie Schlosser

Melanie Schlosser of Park Ridge, N.J. double majors in Visual Arts with a concentration in Law & Society and Visual Arts with a concentration in Drawing and Painting. She has a 3.95 GPA, placing her on the Dean’s List every semester of attendance.

On campus, she is a member of the Visual Artists Society and has served on executive boards for various clubs and organizations. Outside of school she has held a range of internships, including in fields of design, law, and sustainability.

Recently, Melanie has attended a human rights conference in South Dakota to present her Law & Society thesis paper titled “Our Roles in Environmental Responsibility.” She is currently working on a thesis project for Drawing and Painting featuring a similar theme of environmental issues, and also works as a legal assistant in an environmental law office. After graduating, Melanie plans to attend law school.



2018 Recipients

Allison Rocca

“I ultimately hope to work within the Family Court system, advocating for children. I am proud of the educational advancement I have made while attending Ramapo,” says Allison Rocca of Westwood, N.J.  Allison has been active in several organizations on campus such as the Social Work Club and the Golden Key and Tau Sigma Honor Societies.

Allison is a Social Work major and a Substance Abuse minor. She has a 4.0 GPA.

She is also involved in working to bring the Stigma-Free initiative to her hometown.


Sarah Martinho

Sarah Martinho of Hazlet, N.J. is a Law and Society major. She has a 3.9 GPA and plans to attend law school, in hopes of becoming a lawyer practicing family law. She takes extreme pride in her work, and is very dedicated to her academics and serving the community.

At Ramapo, Sarah has been active in several organizations and activities, including Sigma Sigma Sigma, Phi Alpha Delta, and in the Center for Student Involvement. As a sister of Tri Sigma, Sarah has held two officer positions, CPH Delegate and Education Director, both of which she is extremely proud of. In Phi Alpha Delta, Sarah has had the honor of serving as the Scholarship Chair. In the Center for Student Involvement, Sarah has held the position of Roadrunner Central Attendant and Platinum Coordinator. Sarah has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations, including as an employee of Costco and as a captain of a Relay for Life team.



2017 Recipients

Candace Beboe

“I am proud of the growth that I have undergone during my time at Ramapo and hope to have a career as an attorney and help fund the education of students like myself in the future,” said Candace Beboe of Jersey City, NJ.  She’s active in the Student Government Association, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority on campus. “In the positions I’ve held with these groups I’ve become a better leader and friend to my peers,” she added.

Candace has also been involved in off-campus organizations, including New City Kids, actively participating through their alumni base.

She has a 3.82 GPA and has been on the Dean’s list since her freshman year.


Michael Danenberg

Michael Danenberg is from Livingston, New Jersey. He is a Sociology major with a concentration in Criminology, and holds a 3.88 GPA.

At Ramapo, he is the head student coordinator of RASA, where he helps facilitate all the open houses and admitted student days for Ramapo.  He is also an admissions student aide, and a member of Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity. Michael co-founded and serves as president of the Ramapo Wrestling Club.

Off campus Michael is an intern at the Essex County Superior Court.  He plans to attend law school.

 


2016 Recipients

Vanessa Loren Mirasola

“I ultimately hope to work within the civil rights arena, representing those without a voice who have been abused or oppressed,” says Vanessa Loren Mirasola of Teaneck, N.J.

The Sociology major hopes to attend law school, a career she became interested in at her job with the Bergen County Ethics Committee, where she interacts with attorneys every day. On campus she’s involved in Ramapo Pride, InQlusive, and GEAR.

The Sociology major, with a concentration in Criminology, has a 3.5 GPA. She was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta, Ramapo’s first year honor society.

Rich Apramian

Rich Apramian of Old Tappan, NJ is a Biology major on the Pre-Medical Track with a double minor in Psychology and Criminology. He has a 3.73 GPA. Rich is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and is in the Theoretical and Applied Science Research Honors Program.

Rich has been active on campus, including as a member of the Student Government Association and serving as the Vice President of the First Responders Club. Rich is also a Resident Assistant in Mackin Hall.

Rich is also a volunteer EMT and an emergency room volunteer at Hackensack UMC in Pascack Valley. Rich was elected to lieutenant of the Old Tappan Volunteer First Aid Corps for 2016-2017.



2015 Recipients

Kevin DeMaio

Kevin Demaio of Old Bridge, N.J. is a business administration major with a concentration in information systems and international business. He has a 3.7 grade point average and has been on the dean’s list since 2013.

He is currently an intern for the Drug Enforcement Administration of New Jersey, Tactical Diversion Squad.  At Ramapo, Kevin is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi and is a resident assistant.

 


James Ticchio

James Ticchio of Mahwah N.J. is a law and society major. He has a 3.98 grade point average. James is a member of the Ramapo College Honors Program.

At Ramapo, James has been active in several organizations and activities, including being a member of the editorial board for the Ramapo Journal of Law and Society, serving as president of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, and is a tour guide for the Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassadors.

James has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations as an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and an intern for the Mahwah Town Hall.

 


2014 Recipient

James Ticchio

James Ticchio of Mahwah N.J. is a law and society major. He has a 3.98 grade point average. James is a member of the Ramapo College Honors Program.

At Ramapo, James has been active in several organizations and activities, including being a member of the editorial board for the Ramapo Journal of Law and Society, serving as president of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, and is a tour guide for the Ramapo Admissions Student Ambassadors.

James has also been involved in off-campus activities and organizations as an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and an intern for the Mahwah Town Hall.

 


2013 Recipient

Tommy Belli

“Tommy Belli is a leader in the classroom, an outstanding writer, and one that his fellow students recognize as a future star in the field of Law Enforcement,” writes professor Aaron Lorenz. Tommy is a senior majoring in Law and Society who has earned a 3.54 grade point average. He is from Livingston, NJ.


2011 Recipient

Kyle Ulscht

Kyle Ulscht of Waldwick, NJ is a Law and Society major with a minor in Economics. He prides himself on never having missed a day of school since the sixth grade and has never been late. And, he has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout college. He also is proud that he has overcome the obstacles of a learning disability. He is interested in constitutional and corporate law. Kyle wants to earn a bachelor’s degree in three years and then attend law school. He enjoys “looking at the faults ingrained in the Constitution during its inception” and interpreting the Constitution’s meaning in today’s world. He established Ramapo’s chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society and serves as president. He is a member of Phi Alpha Delta, the law fraternity.



2010, 2009 Recipient

Brandon Martin

Brandon Martin of Dayton, NJ is a Law & Society major. He plans to attend law school and to become a sports or entertainment agent or a practicing attorney. The foundation for this goal was set in high school where Brandon was cofounder, captain and lead defense attorney for the MockTrial Club. He also played varsity baseball and was a member of the Honor Concert. He continues to play baseball, and earned a spot on the Road Runners team as a walk-on. He works as a student aide in the Office of Admissions, is a student ambassador and a member of the Student Government Association. He also finds time to volunteer for student activities and intramural sports. Brandon, who has a 3.82 grade point average says, “I am making the most of what Ramapo has to offer.”

2009
I have never received a scholarship before so I appreciate the generosity of this award. I took on a very hard course load my freshman year in addition to playing varsity baseball, working in admissions and serving as the vice speaker of the freshman caucus.The fact that my hard work has been recognized by my benefactor will push me to keep striving for excellence and make the most of my education at Ramapo.


Back to List