$200,000 in Scholarships Awarded

$200,000 in Scholarships Awarded at SUNY Rockland Community College's Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Ramapo, NY - More than 100 outstanding continuing and graduating students received $200,000 in scholarships from the Rockland Community College Foundation. The awards were given at the Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 17.

The Foundation will also offer another $25,000 in scholarships to the newly-entering freshman who have until July 5 to apply.

Andrew Newmark of Suffern, a graduate of Suffern High School, received the largest award, the Jane Cohen Memorial Scholarship, a two-year full tuition scholarship to Pace University (valued at $60,000).

Other scholarships awarded included full tuition to SUNY Rockland (valued at $3,515) to smaller awards of several hundred dollars, including the Independent Insurance Agents of Rockland County Scholarship for $1,500 awarded to Paola Garcia Cardenas of Suffern and the Mary Ann Gaherty Memorial Alumni Scholarship for $600 awarded to Michael Abbatecola of Haverstraw. 

Military veteran Chris Salcedo of New City, age 27, received the Jerry Donnellan Veterans Transfer Scholarship. Salcedo, a graduate of Clarkstown South High School in 2002, joined the military and served in the Middle East in 2006. Enrolling in RCC in 2008, he said the one-on-one time he spent with his professors boosted his confidence. He is transferring to Pace University to major in biology. The scholarship is funded by veteran Joe Famellette, Professor of Physical Education, and is named in honor of Jerry Donnellan, an RCC graduate who lost his leg in Vietnam.

Newly created scholarships include the Haitian American Nurses Association Scholarship for $500 awarded to Emmanuell Napoleon-Burteau of Yonkers. Established in memory of Claudette Colimon by The Rockland Chapter of the Haitian American Nurses Association, it provides financial assistance to a student of Haitian descent entering the Nursing profession. 

Students were recognized for excellence in academics, program of study, athletics, and service to community. Recipients included art students, nursing students, athletes, students with disabilities, children of alumni and honor students.

For more information, contact Elissa Silverstein, Chair, RCC Foundation Committee, at 845-574-4403, esilvers@sunyrockland.edu or visit www.sunyrockland.edu

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Rockland Community College, a unit of the State University of New York, is located 25 miles northwest of NYC. The majority of its students transfer to four-year colleges, and many find immediate employment upon earning their associate's degree or certificate. The College also offers others, from preschoolers to senior citizens, the opportunity to simply learn something new. Quality education...at a price you can afford.