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Simon, Michael Class of 1973 LGBTQ Scholarship

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Michael Simon ’73 (first graduating class) was involved in many campus activities during his undergraduate years. He and two classmates built and operated the first campus radio station WRPR in 1972. Michael and a fellow student designed the first Ramapo College class ring using the Arch and the words of JFK “Peace through Understanding ” as the base design. He was also a member of the housing committee, worked the switchboard in the evenings, and occasionally drove the shuttle bus to and from residence halls located on Route 17.

Michael created this scholarship to help involved students who excel in their contribution to the LGBTQ community at Ramapo College. Members of the LGBTQ community and their allies are eligible to apply.

  • Students contributions include leadership or community service/civic engagement, or commitment to supporting the progress of LGBTQ+ civil rights
  • Sophomore, Junior or Senior
  • GPA of 3.0+

Scholarship application is closed for this semester.


2024 Recipients

Dominique Walton

Dominique Walton of Toms River, New Jersey is an English Literature Major with a Concentration in Creative Writing. She has a 3.03 GPA and is an Honors Scholar. At Ramapo, Dominique has been active in several organizations and activities, including Ramapo College Dance Company, The Ramapo News, and a student worker at J Lee’s on campus.

Dominique has been involved in off-campus activities such as For Us Girls, and upkeeps her online writing portfolio. Dominique is proud to say she’s received the writing awards Hidden Gems 2020 and Black History Month 2021 on Episode Interactive.

Post graduation, Dominique’s goal is to fully write a novel that can be presented to editors, and to continue her research to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals agreed upon by the United Nations.


Madison Case

Madison Case of Bedminster, N.J. is a Psychology and Social Science dual major with a concentration in Community Mental Health. 

At Ramapo, Madison works as the Women’s Outreach Coordinator at the Women’s Center and as a Wellness Is Now (W.I.N.) Peer Educator. 

Off-campus, Madison’s passion for advocacy can be seen through her endeavors as the founder and editor-in-chief of intersectional feminist publication “Periphery Magazine.”

After graduation, Madison plans to attend graduate school to become a licensed therapist for LGBTQ+ and disabled youth.


2023 Recipient

Elle Pascal

Elle Pascal of Passaic, N.J. is a senior Global Communications and Media major with a minor in Digital Filmmaking. They have a 3.8 GPA and are an Educational Opportunity Fund Scholar. They have been on the Dean’s list every semester. Elle is also a recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Leadership Award and a Peer Facilitator Scholarship recipient.

At Ramapo, Elle has been active in several organizations and activities including the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead and The Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Services.

Elle also holds on-campus positions working with the Center for Student Success.



2022 Recipient

Marissa Krasny

Marissa Krasny of Congers, N.Y. is a double major in English & Literary Studies and Digital Journalism & Writing. She is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta and Lambda Pi Eta honor societies, as well as a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. 

At Ramapo, Marissa has been active in several organizations and activities, including reviving and becoming President of the American Sign Language Club, becoming Student Coordinator of RASA, and writing a host of articles for the Ramapo News.

Marissa is very proud of all she has been able to do at Ramapo College, and hopes to become an editor for novels once she graduates. Her goal is to help create stories that feature characters of diverse identities and backgrounds.



2021 Recipient

Megan Rose

Megan Rose of Wayne, N.J. is a senior double majoring in Sociology and Philosophy. She has a 3.64 GPA and has made the Dean’s List every semester. At the end of the Fall 2019 semester, Megan had a paper published and presented at Ramapo’s Scholar’s Day and SUNY Oneonta. 

Megan is President of Alpha Kappa Delta and Vice President of the Philosophy Club. For over ten years, she has been involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Following graduation, she hopes to work in the nonprofit sector assisting LGBTQ+ youth. 



2020 Recipient

Mariella Zijdel

“I’m passionate about advocating for diversity and LGBTQ+ issues,” says Mariella Zijdel of Gillette, N.J. Mariella is a Social Work major with minors in Women’s and Gender Studies, and Substance Use Disorders. She has a 3.3 GPA.

Mariella has been involved in Leaders in Service, Sophomores Advancing in Leadership, and has been a Resident Assistant at the College Park Apartments for two years. She currently serves as the Student Trustee and is the Student Health and Wellness Coordinator at the Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Services.

Off campus, Mariella has been involved in the Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment Working Group for N.J.’s Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, is currently on the Student Advisory Committee for N.J.’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, is an intern for N.J. Senator Nellie Pou, and is a volunteer and foster for St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center.

After graduation, Mariella plans to attend graduate school for Social Work with a concentration in Policy Advocacy. “I am proud to be a part of many important organizations on campus and plan to use my experiences to induct change in the world,” she adds.


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