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Wiss & Company Scholarship

Founded in 1969, WISS & Company, LLP ranks as one of the top 10 accounting firms in New Jersey, with offices in Livingston, Iselin and NewYork City. Clients range from small businesses and middle market commercial companies to not-for-profits and government entities. In 2008 WISS was named by NJBiz as one of the “Best Places to Work in New Jersey,” ranking 12th among the firms being honored in the medium-sized company category. A number of Ramapo graduates are currently working at the firm. The company created this scholarship program in 2008, which benefits Accounting majors at the junior level who have a grade point average of 3.00 or higher.

  • For high achieving Accounting majors
  • Junior or senior standing
  • Recipient selected by the Accounting convening group

2014 Recipients

Solange Alvarado

Solange A. Alvarado of Paterson, N.J. is an accounting major. She has a 3.7 grade point average. She was inducted to Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, and Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society. She is also a sister of Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Incorporated.

At Ramapo, Solange has been active in several organizations and activities, including serving as Community Service Chair in her sorority, Co-President of Chi Alpha Epsilon and Treasurer of Omicron Delta Kappa Society.

Solange has also been involved in off –campus activities, she has held two internships and volunteered at the Paterson Habitat for Humanity.


Macrae Francis

Macrae Francis of Paterson, NJ is an Accounting major and an Economics minor. She is completing an internship at Konica Minolta Business Solutions. Macrae is a senior advisor for the Students of Caribbean Ancestry Club, a member of the Black Student Union and financial secretary for the National Association of Black Accountants of Ramapo College. He was named to the Golden Key Honor Society, the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society and Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. Macrae plans to become a CPA and work in an accounting firm, either in auditing or taxes. He also would like to attend graduate school to complete an MBA degree. “I am able to continue pushing educational boundaries at Ramapo College without the added financial limitations that are often in place,” he said. Macrae has a 3.87 grade point average.



2013 Recipients

Caitlin Whitman

Caitlin Whitman of Rutherford, NJ is an Accounting major. She is secretary of the Finance Club and a member of the Accounting Club, ASB Student Advisory Council and a student ambassador for the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. Caitlin was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the National Business Honor Society. She has held positions as a junior financial analyst with Stryker Orthopedics and an account services intern with Eisner Amper LLP. Caitlin looks forward to earning her CPA. She says, “As a CPA, you have the knowledge and skills to one day run your own business, become a partner at a public accounting firm or become a CFO for a private organization.” Caitlin has a 3.76 grade point average.

Kallie Knebl

Kallie Knebl of Paramus, NJ is an Accounting major. She plans to graduate with 150 credits so that she may take the CPA exam. A junior, Kallie enjoys the internship she is completing at a small accounting firm, where she is learning as much as she can about the field. “I appreciate the ability to apply concepts I’ve learned in class to real life examples,” Kallie says. Kallie is a member of the Accounting Club and the New Jersey Society of CPAs. She has a 3.77 grade point average.


2012 Recipients

Melanie Sacks

Melanie Sacks of Cherry Hill, NJ is an Accounting major. The junior serves as director of Finance for the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. In addition, Melanie is involved in pan-Hellenic activities on campus and is a member of the Accounting Club. She works as a receptionist for Prestige BMW. Melanie, who has a 3.13 grade point average, plans to become a CPA and work for a large public accounting firm. “I felt very privileged to receive this scholarship,” she says. “The acknowledgement of my academic achievement and desire to excel in my field of study by professionals is an honor.”

Receiving this scholarship from such an accomplished firm has been academically inspiring. This recognition has encouraged me to continue to work hard and to reach my goal of becoming a CPA!

Caitlin Mahoney

Caitlin Mahoney of Montville, NJ is an Accounting major. Many of her activities revolve around organizations that will assist her career. On campus, she works in the Center for Student Involvement as a student activities revenue management assistant. She also is a member of the Allocations Committee and a volunteer for the Judicial Board. Off campus she attends networking and professional development events sponsored by the NJCPA and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. Caitlin, who has a 3.98 grade point average, plans to become a CPA.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Wiss and Company for their generous scholarship.


2011 Recipients

Kayla Heaslip

Kayla Heaslip of Livingston, NJ is majoring in Accounting and has earned a 3.70 grade point average. She is a member of the Accounting Club and was named to the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. She also is a student member of the New Jersey Society of CPAs. Kayla, who is planning her life “like a row of reconciled numbers,” wants to become a CPA and to work for a regional accounting firm in NJ.

Megan Kosztyu

Megan Kosztyu of Hamilton, NJ is an Accounting major. As a member of Theta Phi Alpha sorority, the junior is involved in community service activities and fund raising events on campus. Megan, who has a 3.51 grade point average, also is a member of the Accounting Club. She plans to take the CPA exam after she graduates and become a Certified Public Accountant. “The opportunities ahead for me are very exciting and I look forward to what the future holds,” she says.


2010 Recipients

Brian Pace

Brian Pace is in his sophomore year majoring in Accounting. Brian is an intern at Ernst & Young this semester and Professor Crawford reports he is excelling in intermediate accounting. Brian is from Hackettstown, NJ and has earned a 3.66 grade point average.

It will give me a good starting point to work from. It will give me the motivation to succeed.

Joseph Pogorelec

Joseph Pogorelec is a junior from Wayne, NJ. He is an Accounting major who has earned a 3.87 grade point average. “Joseph is in intermediate accounting right now and is excelling in the class,” reports accounting convener, Professor Constance Crawford. In addition, Joseph is an intern at Ernst & Young.

I know there are companies out there that reward for great effort and determination, and I will continue to strive to perform to the best of my abilities in the future and become the best accountant I can be.


2009 Recipients

Mark Quinn

Mark Quinn is from Medford, New Jersey and is in his junior year at Ramapo. Mark is majoring in accounting with a minor in information systems. He has earned a 3.69 grade point average.

I am honored by the recommendations of my professors and look forward to using the scholarship to continue my education in accounting.

Laura Zindel

“Choosing accounting as my major melds my love of math and my passion for the business world,” says Laura Zindel. Laura is in her junior year and is also pursuing a minor in information systems. She has earned a 3.61 grade point average. Laura works at a local Italian restaurant and at a medical office. She is a peer facilitator and Antioch leader, and is a member of the Accounting Club. Laura is from Hewitt, New Jersey.


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