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Ripston, Robert G. Leadership Award

Robert G. Ripston was an executive at General Electric for 20 years before joining Ingersoll-Rand in 1973. Mr. Ripston also served as a director and former chairman of the Commerce and Industry Association of Northern New Jersey and vice president of the Bergen Council of the Boy Scouts of America. After retiring in 1994, he founded and served as president of the Leadership Center in Upper Saddle River, NJ. Mr. Ripston was an active member of the Ramapo community, serving as a governor on the Foundation Board and teaching as an adjunct professor in the School of Business. “Mr. Ripston believed that students too often left school without the necessary skills to achieve success in the working world and he took action to bring about change,” wrote The Star-Ledger at the time of his death. The Ripston Award recognizes business students with financial need and a “free market orientation.”

  • For a student with demonstrated financial need based on Foundation policy, who has a “free market economic orientation”
  • Applicants must submit a one- to two-page essay describing their career goals and how they arrived at this decision
  • Recipient chosen by a committee comprised of ASB faculty

Scholarship application is closed for this semester.


2024 Recipient

Shirley Celestino

Shirley Celestino of Paterson, N.J. is a senior Finance major at Ramapo College.

Shirley has been involved with Greater Alliance Federal Credit Union where she works as a Universal Member Service Representative and trains prospective hires. She assists members with information on financial products and assistance with their accounts and transactions.

After graduation, Shirley hopes to land an internship and establish a place within a company where she can continue to grow and develop on her skills and experiences


2023 Recipient

Aqdas Mujahid

Aqdas Mujahid is from Mahwah, N.J., and is a second-year Accounting major with a 3.6 GPA. He was on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters.

Outside of school, Aqdas currently works at TJ-Maxx part-time and has been working there for close to 2 years. 

For the rest of his time at Ramapo, Aqdas hopes to start being more involved in organizations and different clubs and to start talking to more people. Also, to make the Dean’s List both semesters each year and to achieve more academically.

“My goal post-graduation is to do the 4+1 B.S. to MSAC Accounting Program and start working a job for an Accounting firm or look for any opportunities that will benefit my future in the field of Accounting,” says Aqdas.



2022 Recipient

Mya Olive

“I want to remind women that our gender doesn’t define our success,” says Mya Olive. “We can succeed just as a man can.” 

Mya is a Marketing major from Hillside, N.J. and is part of the EOF Program. She works at the Potter Library on campus. 

Post-graduation, she hopes to become a fashion influencer and real estate agent. “I am proud to say that I have found the right major that fits me,” says Mya.



2021 Recipient

Jakub Zak

Honors Program student Jakub Zak of Wallington, N.J. is a Finance major with a 3.88 GPA. He is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and has made the Dean’s List.

In high school, he was involved in the Engineering Club and the National Honor Society. After graduation, he intends to work in the finance industry and attend graduate school.

In his free time, Jakub enjoys playing hockey, road biking, staying updated on market trends, and spending time with friends and family.



2020 Recipient

Eric Sorger

Eric Sorger of Millstone Township, N.J. is a Finance major with a Math minor. He has a 3.95 GPA, has made the Dean’s List every semester, and is a Presidential Scholarship recipient. He is also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta First-Year Honor Society, The Golden Key Honour Society, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Honors Program.

Eric is involved with Leaders in Service, Roadrunner Financial Group, Enactus, the KPMG Mentorship Program, and Sophomore’s Advancing in Leadership. He is also on the Dean’s Student Advisory Board and is the President/Treasurer of Phi Kappa Sigma, an all-male collegiate fraternity.

Eric previously worked in the Ramapo Budget Office as a Budget Analyst Intern and currently works for Commvault as a Financial Planning and Analysis Intern. After graduation, Eric wants to take his actuarial exams and become a full-time actuary.



2019 Recipient

Hatice Ozen

Hatice Ozen of Paramus, N.J., is a third-year Computer Science major with a minor in Economics. As a freshman, Hatice was selected as one of the first two freshman representatives of the Anisfield School of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Council, where she has been helping to improve the opportunities for business majors. She is also the publicist for Females in S.T.E.M. Society, an organization dedicated to women pursuing educations in S.T.E.M. fields.

She has also been involved in off-campus activities, including tutoring children to help improve their reading and language skills, volunteering for causes that improve our community, and mentoring other females to help motivate the pursuit of higher education. “With my technical skills, I hope to improve the society of today for a better tomorrow through technological innovations as well as applications that will improve the standard of living for many.”



2018 Recipient

Antonia Arena

Antonia Arena of Holmdel, N.J. is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Finance. She has a 3.4 GPA. She interns at Marcus & Millichap, a commercial real-estate investment firm.

 

Antonia is a transfer student from Brookdale Community College where she was actively involved in the Alpha Business Club (ABC). She has also been involved in several community service events such as the Hope for Children Foundation, and environmental cleanup events in her hometown. Antonia also manages the investment fund for the student-run Roadrunner Financial Group. She hopes to enter the finance industry post-graduation.

 



2017 Recipient

Meera Patel

Meera Patel is a first-generation student and the first person in her family to pursue a bachelor’s degree. She is a Finance major from Mahwah, NJ who has a strong passion toward helping the less fortunate. She volunteers and has helped raise money and awareness for homeless, abandoned, and abused youth.


2016 Recipient

Justin Bizub

Justin Bizub of Tuxedo, NY is an Information Technology major with a 3.5 grade point average. Justin was inducted into the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and the Phi Sigma Omicron Honor Society. In addition, he made the Dean’s list in 2014.

Justin has also been heavily involved with assisting special needs children at a private school, where he helps them with their everyday activities to ensure their success.



2015 Recipient

Arely Cesti

Arely Cesti of Paterson, N.J. is an accounting major with a concentration in auditing. She has a 3.48 grade point average. Arely was inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon Honors Society in the fall of 2012. She has also attained Dean’s List Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, and Spring 2014.

At Ramapo, Arely has been active in several organizations and activities, including being vice president for Chi Alpha Epsilon Honors Society. She also serves as fundraising chair for Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Incorporated.

Arely has also been involved in off –campus activities and organizations, including serving as a volunteer for Paterson Habitat for Humanity.


2014 Recipient

Mark Fiorczynski

Mark Fiorczynski is majoring in Information Systems with a minor in International Business. He has earned a 3.86 grade point average. “In the summer of 2013 I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Paris, France,” Mark said. Back home, Mark began an internship with International Studies Abroad, acting as a liaison between the company’s headquarters and Ramapo College. Mark plans to become a decision support engineer for a multinational corporation. “With an extensive enterprise, it is vital that all offices remain fluid with decision making. I will be able to bridge the gap between management and the IT department by employing data and reporting tools to allow the organization to thrive,” he said. Mark is from Fair Lawn, NJ.


2013 Recipient

Saroj Maharjan

Saroj Maharjan is an international student from Nepal majoring in economics and accounting. He has a grade point average of 3.94.
On campus, Saroj has participated in the Federal Reserve Challenge, the CFA Research Challenge Team, the KPMG mentorship program and the United Nation’s DPI Public Youth Conference.



2012 Recipients

Christine O’Neill

Christine O’Neill of Harrington Park, NJ is an Economics major. She is a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon and Beta Gamma Sigma, and serves on the College’s Judicial Review Board. She is an assistant with the Eastern Economic Association, an organization that is based at Ramapo College. Christine is the first in her family to attend college. A senior, Christine has a 3.79 grade point average. She would like to become a lawyer.


Saroj Maharjan

Saroj Maharjan is an international student from Nepal majoring in economics and accounting. He has a grade point average of 3.94.
On campus, Saroj has participated in the Federal Reserve Challenge, the CFA Research Challenge Team, the KPMG mentorship program and the United Nation’s DPI Public Youth Conference.



2011 Recipient

Ronak Patel

Ronak Patel of Mahwah, NJ is an Information Systems major with a 3.88 grade point average. Ronak works as an office manager at ADPP Enterprises and also volunteers at her temple helping children learn about their religion. Having lived in three countries, Ronak confidently states, “The best way to improve a society and to enhance the progress of its economy is through education.” Her dream is to be an entrepreneur. “Dreams are the benchmark of our achievement,” she says.


2010 Recipient

Delina Agnosteva

Delina Agnosteva, of Bulgaria, is majoring in Economics and International Business. She’s completed internships at Pearson Education, Alternative Assets Investment Management and The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria. In addition, she serves as treasurer of the Math and Finance clubs, secretary of the International Business Club and handes public relations for the Model United Nations Club. She also competed in the NewYork Mercantile Exchange Open Outcry and served on the Anisfield School of Business Student Advisory Board. Delina, who is enrolled in the College Honors Program, has a 3.97 grade point average. At Ramapo, she says, “I found a path that will utilize my inquisitive nature and will satiate my curiosity and drive for knowledge.” She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Economics.



2009 Recipient

Veselina Stoyanova

Veselina Stoyanova. “I became extremely motivated in understanding the dynamics of the business environment.” Veselina is a senior at Ramapo majoring in international business. Her minor is French, and she has earned a 3.97 grade point average. Veselina has spent her summers working at the Ministry of Economy and Energy, Raiffeisen Bank, the Bulgarian United Bank, and with a grain distributor, all in Bulgaria. At Ramapo, Veselina is a member of the Model United Nations Club and the International Business Club, where she serves as president. She plans to continue her education in international business and marketing.

The scholarship gave me is not only a chance to receive in-depth knowledge in the field of international business but also an opportunity to meet friends all over the world and to expand my knowledge of world cultures.

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