Student Annual Scholarships and Awards
DEAN’S LIST
Each semester the Dean identifies those students in the School who have achieved a grade point average of B+ (3.50) in a minimum graded course load of twelve semester hours.
DEAN’S AWARD
The Dean’s Award recognizes academic excellence and breadth of knowledge exhibited throughout the student’s undergraduate and service career at WestConn. The name of the recognized student is inscribed on a plaque that hangs outside the Dean’s Office.
Dean, School of Professional Studies
Award: $250
Criteria: Academic Achievement and Service Involvement
GRACE B. WHEELER ROBERTSON SCHOLARSHIP
The estate of Grace Banks Wheeler Robertson, a 1915 graduate of the Danbury Normal School, established the Grace B. Wheeler Robertson Scholarship in 1985. The scholarship is awarded annually to a sophomore student and must be used in the junior and senior years toward WestConn tuition and fees.
Dean, School of Professional Studies
Award: $2,000
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Financial Need
SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship is awarded each year to a student from the School of Professional Studies who has made meaningful contributions to the University or the community, and has demonstrated leadership potential. Scholarship monies must be used toward WestConn tuition and fees.
Dean, School of Professional Studies
Award: $750
Criteria: Leadership Potential
SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES W. JASON & ELLEN M. HANCOCK STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
This endowed scholarship fund was established in 2000 by Mr. and Mrs. W. Jason Hancock. A 1981 alumnus of the WestConn English Master’s degree program, Mr. Hancock went on to become a WestConn adjunct faculty member from 1985 to 1997. The scholarship will be awarded to a student of the School of Professional Studies demonstrating financial need which must be used toward WestConn tuition and fees.
Dean, School of Professional Studies
Award: $1,000
Criteria: Financial/Other
SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES GRADUATE PROMISE AWARD
This award is presented to a School of Professional Studies senior student who demonstrates academic excellence and a strong commitment to service, and who has been accepted and shows promise in a graduate studies program.
Dean, SPS
Award: $150
Criteria: Academic Promise as a Graduate Student
EDUCATION AWARDS
EDUCATION HONOR SOCIETY AWARDS
The Education Honor Society recognizes education majors who exhibit the highest standards of the teaching professional and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 during their second semester as a junior. Recipients must also be active members of the Education Club where they show involvement in community service projects and serve in leadership roles.
Education Club Faculty Advisor(s)
Award: Honor Cords
MISS RUMPHIUS AWARD
The Miss Rumphius Award for Outreach into the Community is given to an education student who best exemplifies Miss Rumphius in the children’s book by Barbara Cooney. The recipient must have gone beyond the usual scope of service to the community and made a real commitment and difference to a particular segment of the Danbury population. The plaque is awarded annually to the education student who has served the community best. There is not monetary attachment to the award. It is a humanitarian award.
Education Club Faculty Advisor(s)
Award: Non-monetary
DELTA KAPPA SOCIETY FLORA LISTERER AWARD
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honorary society of women educators. The Society promotes professional and personal growth of its members and excellence in education. Each year the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma awards a scholarship to an outstanding student at WCSU in the name of Flora Listerer, a Connecticut Educator.
NANCY BARRELLE READING SCHOLARSHIP
The Nancy Barrelle Reading Scholarship is given in honor of a past graduate student in reading, Nancy Barrelle. Nancy went on to become an outstanding reading consultant for the Ridgefield School System for many years before her untimely death. This scholarship goes to a graduate student/practicing teacher in the M.S. Education Reading Curriculum Option who has shown outstanding ability in the field of literacy and children’s literature.
M.S. Graduation Education Coordinator
Award: $500
IRFAN KATHWARI EDUCATION ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP
Established in December of 1999 by M. Farooq Kathwari, President, Chairman & CEO of Ethan Allen, Inc., the annual income from the fund will be used to recruit promising students in WestConn’s Teacher Education Programs. Preference is given to Danbury inner city minority high school seniors with an interest in pursuing careers in K-12 teaching in the Danbury Public School District.
Dean’s Education Committee
Award: $500-$1,000
Criteria: Minority Student Pursuing Teacher Education
STEPHEN K. LOVETT EDUCATION AWARDS
These academic achievement awards honor Dr. Stephen K. Lovett, chairman of the Education Department from 1963 to 1979 and President of the WestConn chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. They are presented annually to two senior education majors: one earning the highest quality point average in elementary education, and one earning the highest quality point average in secondary education.
Education Chair
Award: $250
Criteria: Academic Achievement
UNION SAVINGS BANK/THOMAS R. NOLAN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship was established on the occasion of Thomas R. Nolan’s’ retirement as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Union Savings Bank. The award may be granted to a full-time junior or senior in the Education –Professional Writing program. Applicants should intend to pursue a career in teaching upon graduation and should demonstrate a proficiency in writing. The scholarship will be presented at least every other year, with the award amount to be determined annually. A committee of Education faculty will recommend a recipient.
Education and English Chair
Award: $500
Criteria: Academic Achievement
MAY SHERWOOD EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship fund was established to honor May Sherwood for her unselfish dedication to her profession and to students of the University. As an alumna and former director of the Education Department, her high ideals and outstanding commitment to scholarship and leadership established standards of which we are all proud. The Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate Education major with at least 90 credits and a minimum GPA of 3.5. A separate application is required and is available online at: www.wcsu.edu/alumni/scholarships.asp
Alumni Office
Award: $1,000
Criteria: Academic Achievement
MARIE C. WASER MEMORIAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This award is given to an undergraduate student demonstrating academic excellence and leadership qualities in teacher education.
Education Chair
Award: $250
Criteria: Academic Achievement
CSDE MINORITY TEACHER INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Connecticut State Department of Higher Education Scholarships are awarded to minority juniors accepted into Connecticut colleges and universities’ teacher preparation programs.
CDHE
Award: $2,500-$5,000
Criteria: Teacher Education; 2.8 GPA
ROBERT SCHAPPERT SCHOLARSHIP IN EDUCATION
The Robert Schappert Scholarship in Education is awarded to a full-time student who is majoring in education, computer science or nursing. Preference will be given to students majoring in education and who has completed 90+ credits of coursework. The recipient will be selected by the education department. Special considered for this need-based scholarship will be given to students from a working-class family.
Education Chair
Award: $500
Criteria: Education major; 90+ credits; financial need preferred
DR VICTOR RUDERMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
This WCSU Foundation scholarship endowed by Dr. Lilyan Ruderman in 2000, memorializes the career of Dr. Ruderman’s husband, an eminent psychologist and former member of the WCSU faculty. Beginning Spring of 2002, this award will be granted to a full or part-time student enrolled in the Counselor Education Program within Education and Educational Psychology Department. Prospective recipients must have completed 12 or more credits toward a degree in counseling while maintaining a 2.8 or higher GPA, and must demonstrate financial need. The initial award of $500 per academic year will be credited in half portions each semester to cover tuition. A committee of Counseling Education faculty will recommend a recipient.
Institutional Advancement
Award: $500
Criteria: Academic Achievement, Financial Need
HEALTH PROMOTION AND EXERCISE SCIENCES AWARDS
INSTITUTE FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP
This award is for a full time undergraduate student of outstanding character. Special consideration will be
given to students with a demonstrated interest in complimentary & alternative medicine and community service. Preference will be given to majors from the School of Professional Studies.
HPX Chair
Award: $500
Criteria: Outstanding Character
NURSING AWARDS
JOSEPH B. CHERRY MEMORIAL NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is presented to a greater Danbury area Nursing student who has demonstrated academic excellence. The student must have a conscientious commitment to nursing and have a caring and holistic approach to patients and their care. The award was established by Mrs. Joseph B. Cherry to honor the memory of her husband.
Nursing Chair
Award: $1000
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Other
TOM AND LOIS CRUCITTI NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
The Crucitti Scholarship established in 2001 by Lois Crucitti, (1971) RN Nursing, And Tom Crucitti (1969)
Medical Technology, alumni of WCSU. Recipient of the award must be a full-time nursing student with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their core curriculum and have completed at least 30 credits at WCSU.
Nursing or Biology Chair
Award: $500
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Other
ISOBEL DIEGO NURSING AWARD
This award was established in memory of Isobel Diego, who taught pediatric nursing at WestConn. The award is given to a student for excellence in maternal child nursing.
Nursing Chair
Award: Certificate $100
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Other
PAUL L. JONES NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
This competitive award, supported by an educational trust established under the will of Douglas P. Jones,
supports scholarships for graduates of Connecticut high schools who reside in the state and are enrolled in WestConn’s Nursing program.
Nursing Chair
Award: $200 - $1,600
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Other
JANE C. THOMPSON NURSING AWARD
This award is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and executive
ability in nursing. Jane C. Thompson was a graduate of the Danbury Hospital School of Nursing. Her daughter sponsors the award.
Nursing Chair
Award: $50
Criteria: Leadership Ability
WEIGLER MEMORIAL NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
This award is given to an outstanding sophomore Nursing student.
Nursing Chair
Award: $250
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Other
ELEANOR M. KING AWARD
This award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated superior ability in meeting patient needs and collaborating with members of the health team. The award honors Eleanor M. King, the first director of the Western Connecticut State University Nursing Program.*
Nursing Chair
Award: Certificate / Savings Bond
Criteria: Professional Commitment
DANBURY HOSPTIAL-WCSU NURSING CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
This competitive award supports a joint educational and career development program developed by Danbury Hospital and Western. Eligible juniors and seniors receive up to $2,000 per academic year, and participate in summer work-study programs, a unique program for personal career development involving mentorship by senior nurse management staff at Danbury Hospital.*
Nursing Chair
Award: Up to $2,000/year
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Financial Need
THE HELEN E. MIZER AWARD
This award honors Helen E. Mizer, former adviser and co-founder of Western’s Kappa Alpha Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau, international nursing honor society. The award is presented to a nursing senior who is active in Sigma Theta Tau and who has demonstrated leadership and academic achievement in nursing.*
Nursing Chair
Award: $250
Criteria: Outstanding Member of Kappa Alpha Chapter
Nightingale Scholarship - School of Professional Studies
Description: The Nightingale Scholarship is supported by the generous sponsors of the annual Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing throughout the State of Connecticut.
Nursing Chair
Amount: $2500
MARYANN RILEY SCHOLARSHIP
In 1988, the Mary Ann Riley Scholarship was established by Kappa Alpha Chapter. The scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate student who fosters the ideals of Sigma Theta Tau International.
Nursing Chair
Award: Varies
Criteria: Outstanding Member of Kappa Alpha Chapter
ADHERENT TECHNOLOGIES NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
This award is intended for an undergraduate nursing student.
Nursing Department
Award: $250-500
Criteria: Unspecified
GREG AND NIKI WANDSCHNEIDER NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
This award is provided by the Wandschneider family. Dana Wandschneider is a 2001 graduate of the Nursing Department’s BSN Program. It is awarded to a deserving Junior or Senior nursing student who has been academically successful balancing university studies and family care responsibilities.*
Nursing Chair
Award: $500
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Other
SUSAN AND HENRY TRITTER SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship was created by Susan and Henry Tritter. Susan is a WestConn Nursing Alumnus and Henry was a former WestConn Registrar. The scholarship is awarded each year to a WCSU undergraduate student, alternating annually between a Nursing and a Theatre Arts major. The undergraduate student, as of the beginning of the Spring semester, must have earned a minimum of sixty undergraduate academic credits toward his/her degree in courses taken at WCSU. The student will have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA. The department’s faculty will select a student who meets the criteria, and who exhibits (in clinical experience for nursing majors) promise of professional success. If the department faculty finds no student eligible for the scholarship, the alternate department will select one of their majors to receive it. This will not alter the old/even year pattern, and may result in one department receiving the scholarship for three or more consecutive years.
Nursing Faculty/Theater Arts Faculty
Award: $500
Criteria: See above
PROFESSOR ALBERT “TUCK” ALICIENE MEMORIAL SCHOLARHIP
This scholarship is awarded to a registered nurse who is a student in the RN-BSN Program at WCSU in memory of Tuck Aliciene, who was a professor in the Nursing Department. He is remembered for his great insight into human behavior, an uplifting sense of humor, strong commitment to classroom and bedside teaching, caring encouragement to nursing students and devotion to the nursing profession.
Nursing Chair
Award: $500:
Criteria: Student in RN-BSN Program
SOCIAL WORK AWARDS
SCOTT ANDREWS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Scott Andrews Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Scott Andrews, a Social Work major who died as a result of a fire that occurred in a house adjacent to the University in the spring of 1992. This award is given to a returning student who will be entering his/her junior or senior year in the Department of Social Work and who demonstrates a commitment to helping others. Preference is given to students from single-parent families. Social work faculty selects the recipient, with input from Scott’s parent.
Social Work Chair
Award: $250
Criteria: Professional Commitment
LAURA DUFFY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Laura Duffy Scholarship was established in memory of Laura Duffy, a non-traditional Social Work student who died in 1995 after a long fight with cancer. In conjunction with the Department of Social Work, her family established this scholarship to be awarded to a social work major who has demonstrated a life long commitment to community service and who embodies the warmth and caring that Laura personified. Only social work majors are eligible. A Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society committee selects the recipient.
Social Work Chair
Award: $250
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Professional Commitment
CRAIG LUNDWALL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Craig Lundwall Memorial Scholarship was established in 2001, shortly after the untimely death of Craig Lundwall, Class of 1998. His parents, family and friends chose to memorialize Craig through an academic and need-based scholarship for a Social Work major at WestConn. This is a most fitting tribute, since Craig was a true intellectual, cherishing the opportunity to learn and demanding high academic standards of himself and colleagues. It is also fitting that the scholarship be awarded to a social work major with demonstrated financial need, since Craig cared deeply about those in need, serving as their advocate. Only Social Work majors are eligible. A Social Work faculty committee selects the recipient.
Social Work Chair
Award: $300
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Financial Need
BEATRICE K. NEMZER SOCIAL WORK AWARDS
The Beatrice K. Nemzer Social Work Awards are given in honor of Beatrice Nemzer, a professor emeritus of social work who embodies the professionalism and personal commitment of an exemplary social worker.
Junior Award: This award is given to a student who, in the successful completion of his/her junior year in the Department of Social Work, has demonstrated potential for excellence.
Senior Award: This award is given to a student in recognition of excellence in professionalism, academic achievement, participation in the social work program and University activities, and community involvement.
Social Work Chair
Award: Book
Criteria: Professional Commitment
ALICE FALES SOCIAL WORK SERVICE AWARD
This award is named in honor of Alice Fales, Class of 1998, who set a high standard of academic achievement paired with service-directed activities which furthered both the success of department projects and supported the advancement of her peers. Awarded to a graduating Social Work Senior whose service to the Social Work Program and to fellow students exemplifies key values of the social work profession.
Social Work Chair
Award: Book
Criteria: Academic Achievement/Professional Commitment
PHI ALPHA HONOR SOCIETY, SHI SIGMA CHAPTER
This is a national honor society for social work students. The membership reflects undergraduate scholarship and exemplary field performance.
Social Work Chair
Award: Certificate
Criteria: Scholarship/Exemplary Field Performance
