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TD Bank Scholarship in Honor of James Napolitano

At the Annual Distinguished Citizens Dinner in 2003, the Ramapo College Foundation was pleased to recognize executives of TD Bank (then Commerce Bank) and the Bank’s many years of service to the community and to Ramapo College. That night the Bank announced the creation of this endowed scholarship, named in honor of then-president of Commerce Bank/North James R. Napolitano. James Napolitano held the position as executive vice president of TD Bank for 33 years. Mr. Napolitano passed away in April 2020.

Mr. Napolitano was an advisor and strong supporter of both Ramapo College and the Ramapo College Foundation as well as other philanthropic efforts. He served as the chair of the Hackensack UMC and was a trustee of the HUMC Foundation; he was also a trustee of Bergen Community College and served on the board of the BCC Foundation and as well as of the Bergen County Economic Development Corporation. This scholarship honors Mr. Napolitano’s involvement at Ramapo and BCC by recognizing BCC transfers with financial need who have demonstrated strong academic performance.

  • Bergen Community College transfer student
  • Strong academic performance
  • Financial need
  • Selected by the Office of Admissions

This scholarship is not awarded through the application process.


2024 Recipient

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.


2023 Recipients

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.

Anonymous

The recipient of this scholarship wishes to remain anonymous.


2022 Recipients

Anonymous

The recipient of this award would like to remain anonymous.

Lauren Steidle

Lauren Steidle of Maywood N.J. is an Accounting major. She first started her college career at Bergen Community College receiving a scholarship due to the NJ Stars program and graduated with a 3.8 GPA. Later in her college education, she received an internship in 2019 at WorldWide Logistics for an accounting position. In May 2021 she was offered a full-time position on the company’s accounting team. Lauren’s goal is to become a key resource in companies that need her accounting skills and work experience.



2021 Recipients

Justin Kleindienst

Justin Kleindienst of Florence, N.J. is a Data Science major. He graduated from Bergen Community College with a 3.93 GPA and became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. 

Justin’s goal is to become a Data Scientist for a Fortune 500 company. “I would not have gotten to this position without all of my past hard work,” he says. 

He recently participated in the National Science Foundation Virtual Data Collaboratory Project and has been working at the Saddle River Café for many months.


Jennifer Interiano

“My proudest accomplishment is being a first generation college student,” says Jennifer Interiano of Emerson, N.J. The Social Work major holds an associate’s degree and is on track to complete her Masters in Social Work. She has a 3.6 GPA.

Jennifer is involved in the Social Work Club and regularly participates in writing workshops. Off campus, she is involved with the KFI-ME Antioch youth group as a team leader, where she helps spread the good news of the Lord through praise, personal talks and meditation.



2020 Recipient

Xaymaraliz Dumeng

Xaymaraliz Dumeng of Belleville, N.J. is an Environmental Studies major. She has a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Honors Program.

All of her activities both on and off-campus illustrate her dedication to the environment. At Ramapo, Xaymaraliz has been active in 1STEP where she does trash clean-ups and raises environmental awareness. She has volunteered at MEVO, a local sustainable farm, and is a Sales Ambassador at Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics.  She recently completed an internship at the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute, doing research in composting. “I plan to be an environmental advocate to help businesses and communities become more sustainable.



2019 Recipient

Kayla Maggio

“My parents are deaf, and that makes me a CODA (child of deaf adult). They had to work hard to make the life for themselves that they deserve. I love being a CODA and I hope that one day I can incorporate ASL (American Sign Language) in the classroom,” says Kayla Maggio of Lyndhurst, N.J.

Kayla transferred from Bergen Community College with an associate degree in General Science. She is an Elementary Education major, and hopes to become certified in middle school science. She has a 3.9 GPA and made Dean’s List this semester.

“Since high school I’ve been worried about how to pay for college. I am very grateful to be able to attend college, and this scholarship helps take away some of the financial burden. Receiving this award is proof for me that hard work pays off in the long run.”


2018 Recipients

Allan Day Chapman

“Through my own experiences with trauma, my intention is to fuse my passion for the arts, daily spiritual practice, appreciation of the natural world, activist philosophies and desire to assist others into a rewarding career change,” says Allan Day Chapman.  Allan is one of only two hundred nationwide recipients of Phi Theta Kappa’s Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship in 2016.

Allan serves as co-chair, DJ, and coordinator of The Barefoot Boogie, a nonprofit organization that hosts substance-free community dance events in NYC.  He also currently facilitates a twice-weekly interactive music session at the Fairview Center for Senior Citizens, and drums for local meditation groups.

After completing his Social Work undergraduate degree, he plans to earn his MSW and clinical licensure in order to serve underserved communities.

Allan is from Fairview, N.J. and has a 4.0 GPA.


Rebecca Czarnogursky

“Taking a year off and having to step away from my education due to financial struggles was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” said Theatre major Rebecca Czarnogursky of East Rutherford, N.J.

Rebecca earned her Associates Degree in Theatre with a concentration in Acting from Bergen Community College, where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She was also a recipient of The NJ STARS Scholarship as a result of graduating 3rd in her high school class.  She currently has a 3.9 GPA.

Rebecca has been active in the theatre at Ramapo, from hanging lights to producing programs for events. In addition to being a full-time student, she works full-time as an Activities Assistant at the Atrium Post Acute Care of Wayne.

“My drive and desire to finish my education brought me back to Ramapo.”


2017 Recipient

Sara Dec

Sara Dec of Wallington, NJ is a junior Social Work major with a minor in Substance Abuse. As a native Polish speaker, the language barrier along with having a label of an immigrant did not stop her from pursuing her higher education and achieving a 4.0 GPA.

Sara has been working full-time through college and is currently employed at the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, supporting the Polish-speaking community. She is very devoted to her community and she proves that by participating actively in various events. She also works as a translator, acting on behalf of Polish residents who struggle with the language. Currently, Sara is interning at the Center for Alcohol and Substance Resources, working on the issue of the underage drinking in Spanish and Polish families. “Coming from a different country helps me put every social issue in a different, broader perspective,” says Sara. After graduation she wants to be involved in forensic social work, working with prison populations or in the field of child welfare.


2016 Recipient

Paul Hartung

Paul Hartung of Wyckoff, NJ is a Business major with a concentration in Accounting.  He has a 4.0 GPA.  Paul was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and consistently made the Dean’s and Honor’s List throughout his time at Bergen Community College.

Paul has been involved in off-campus activities, including volunteering at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Wyckoff to help serve the needy.



2015 Recipient

Ian Godfrey

Ian Godfrey of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. is a transfer student from Bergen Community College where he earned an associate degree in liberal arts. He has a 3.9 grade point average at Ramapo.

Ian is a NJ STARS student and member of Phi Theta Kappa. He is a political science student in his first year at Ramapo and aspires to attend law school.


2013 Recipient

Joong Hoon Koh

“Joong Hoon Koh transferred to Ramapo this past fall from Bergen Community College with a 4.00 cumulative GPA,” says Merle Scordo, associate director of Admissions. Joong Hoon is majoring in Chemistry and has earned a 4.00 in his courses here. He is from Ridgewood, NJ.


2012 Recipient

Evan Gallipoli

Evan Gallipoli, who is from Hillsdale, NJ is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Finance. He is active with the Finance Club, Investment Club and the Community Service Center. Off campus Evan is active in his church where, with his wife, he hosts a mission community. Of the scholarship he says, “Receiving a scholarship for my academic achievement further inspires me to continue the hard work I put into acquiring an education. The scholarship funds are a blessing to me, and I hope to be in the position one day to impart that blessing to future ambitious college students.” Evan, who has a 3.67 grade point average, would like to work as a financial advisor.


2011 Recipients

Jillian McGuire

Jillian McGuire transferred from Bergen Community College with an associate in Arts degree. At Ramapo she is majoring in Psychology, with a minor in Substance Abuse. “I volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club in my town of Hawthorne,” says Jillian. She also is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

This scholarship is important to me and my education.This scholarship shows me that working hard and getting good grades does actually pay off. This has only pushed me to want to do even better and to strive for excellence.

Jamie Bujleta

Jamie Bujleta received an associate in arts degree from Bergen Community College and is currently in her first year at Ramapo. Jamie is majoring in Psychology. She is from Ridgefield Park, NJ.

This scholarship is allowing me to continue my studies here at Ramapo. I am very grateful to have received this money.


2010, 2009 Recipient

Andrew Tucci

Andrew Tucci of Midland Park, NJ earned an associate’s degree at Bergen Community College through the NJ Stars Program. At Ramapo, the senior is majoring in Accounting and has a 3.64 grade point average. He is interested in the field because he’s always been intrigued by the way money is managed and how the physical flow of dollars is different from the way in which it is accounted for. Andrew tutored Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting at the Cerullo Learning Assistance Center and was an instructional aide for Midland Park Continuing Education.

2010
I am an Accounting major, and this has allowed me to use equity financing for my life.



Year Recipient

Brenda Griepenburg

Brenda Griepenburg of Teaneck, NJ is an Environmental Studies major. She serves as vice president of 1STEP and campus coordinator of Take Back the Tap, a program of the Food and Water Watch. She conducts sustainability tours and environmental programs at Bergen Community College and is a volunteer with the Mahwah Environmental Volunteer Organization. Brenda plans to pursue a career in environmental education and to work with children so that they grow to respect and understand the environment. She has a 3.67 grade point average.

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