NEW PALTZ — The generosity of six individuals has enabled as many students to attend the State University of New York at New Paltz this year as part of an innovative scholarship program titled Adopt-a-Scholar, begun last year. This brings to 11, the total number of students currently being assisted by the imaginative approach to funding scholarships.
Adopt-a-Scholar targets academically outstanding high school students who have applied to the College, and matches them with individuals who are interested in encouraging scholarship opportunities at SUNY New Paltz for such students. Donors agree to contribute $1,000 annually toward educational expenses for four consecutive years, assuming the recipient continues to meet the eligibility requirements.
This years Adopt-Scholar sponsors are Marlene Brown, a 1973 graduate of SUNY New Paltz and a New Paltz resident; Norman Kellar, a past member of the SUNY New Paltz College Council and an attorney with Kellar and Kellar, of Kingston; Dwight Lodge, president of WebPrime, Internet and Intranet Solutions, of Fishkill; Bruce Orenstein, a 1968 SUNY New Paltz graduate and vice president of Merrill Lynch, Mt. Kisco; Wendell Van Lare, a 1967 graduate of SUNY New Paltz and director of labor-relations for Gannett Co., Inc., Arlington, Va.; and J. Philip Zand, an attorney practicing in New Paltz.
“The generosity of the Adopt-a-Scholar sponsors will make an enormous difference in the lives of these students, ” said SUNY New Paltz President Roger Bowen. “The availability of merit-based scholarships enables us to compete with other institutions in getting some of the most talented students to enroll at New Paltz,” he added.
Students who are the recipients of this year’s scholarships are Meaghan Cleveland, of Fairport, sponsored by J. Philip Zand; Sean Finneran, of Clifton Park, sponsored by Norman Kellar; Lauren Haimelin, of Fishkill, sponsored by Marlene Brown; Morgan La Femina, of Newburgh, sponsored by Dwight Lodge; Christin Marchica, of Oceanside, sponsored by Wendell Van Lare; and Matthew Ziegler, of Putnam Valley, sponsored by Bruce Orenstein.
Last year’s sponsors of Adopt-a-Scholar scholarships were Taylor and Elizabeth Thompson of Kingston, Louis and Mildred Resnick of Ellenville, Ed Ullmann of Kingston,
Gerry Nagle of Newburgh, Gail Gallerie of New Paltz, and Roger W. Bowen of New Paltz.
Any individual or group of individuals can sponsor or co-sponsor an Adopt-a- Scholar scholarship. For information about sponsorship, contact Judy Herron, Office of Advancement, 257-3239.
Reporters and Editors: If you want to contact any of the individuals mentioned above (students and/or donors), please call Judy Herron, Office of Advancement, 257-3239.
