Scholarship Information, 2008-2009 Academic Year

The RIT Leadership Institute Program, through the Center for Campus Life, offers several scholarships open to RIT students each year for leadership, service and spirit. By being involved through student organizations on campus, or other leadership positions, you may qualify for any of the scholarships listed below.

Davis Scholarship Leadership Award
Kathleen M. Keyes Award
Eric Senna Award
Susan Willoughby, Lanette Moore and Cheryl Bulls Memorial Award
Isaac L. Jordan, Sr. Fund
Joe Ferraro Memorial Scholarship
Walls-Olson Memorial Scholarship
Women's Council of RIT Endowed Scholarship

Scholarship Process

Online Application
Download Application and Instruction Packet

Applications are due Friday March 20, 2009 at 11:59 PM.

Scholarships

What is the Davis Scholarship Leadership Award?

The Alfred L. Davis and Ruby C. Davis Scholarship Fund was established by Mr. and Mrs. Brackett Clark. The Clarks were long-time supporters of RIT; Mr. Clark served on the RIT Board of Trustees for more than 50 years, and Mrs. Clark was very active with the RIT Women's Council. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize the long and dedicated service to RIT, which Mr. Davis has provided. During his career spanning more than 40 years at RIT, Mr. Davis served on the faculty of the College of Continuing Education, as Vice President for Development and Public Relations, and later as Administrative Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Having observed through the years the efforts of many student volunteers and the invaluable service these students provided, Mr. Davis requested that a portion of these funds be earmarked to encourage and recognize this contribution.

Davis Scholarship Leadership Award Qualifications:

  1. Candidates should demonstrate significant effort toward the improvement and quality of campus life at RIT.
  2. Demonstrate the following qualities:
    1. Leadership ability
    2. Good campus citizenship
    3. High personal standards
  3. Must be a student in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
  4. Be a full-time undergraduate student currently enrolled in his/her sophomore or junior year at RIT (45-134 credit hours) (Students in a 5 year program are also eligible if they are currently enrolled in their senior (4th) year at RIT).
  5. Demonstrate financial need through proper documentation. (On file with the RIT Financial Aid Office.)
  6. Be in good Judicial Standing.

If you have been a past recipient of the Davis Scholarship Leadership Award, you may re-apply. However, past recipients should not assume that they are guaranteed to be re-named as a recipient.

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What is the Kathleen M. Keyes Memorial Scholarship?

The Kathleen M. Keyes Memorial Scholarship was established by Mr. Brian Keyes and the RIT Student Government. Kathleen served as the Operations Manager for the RIT Student Government from 1983 to 1994 where she was an advocate for student leaders and a friend to many officers. The purpose for the award was to honor her memory while providing an incentive to student leaders who have served the RIT population through Student Government which may include participation in RIT Major Student Organizations (MSO's).

Kathleen M. Keyes Memorial Scholarship Qualifications:

  1. Be a full-time undergraduate student who has served as an active leader and/or participant in organizations under the Student Government umbrella or within the Student Government administration.
  2. Exhibit the qualities we cherished in Kathleen M. Keyes such as dedication, open-mindedness, friendliness and willingness to help others.
  3. Demonstrate the following qualities:
    1. Leadership ability
    2. Good campus citizenship
    3. High personal standards
  4. Must be a student in good academic standing as indicated below with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
  5. Be in good Judicial Standing.

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What is the Eric Senna Award?

The Eric Senna Award was established in 1995. Eric Senna (an alumnus, class of 1991) served as the Vice Chairman for the RIT Student Government from 1989 to 1990. Eric almost exclusively developed the proposal, fundraising and implementation of the Institute's bronze Tiger Mascot located on the quarter mile just west of the Student Alumni Union. The award was created to recognize those students who have significantly contributed towards the improvement of campus life, tradition, pride and spirit. The Tiger statue stands as a bond between the students of RIT and the Institute as a whole.

Eric Senna Award Qualifications

  1. Applicants must be nominated by a member of the student body, faculty, or staff who can address the nominee's contributions toward the improvement and quality of campus life, tradition, pride and spirit at RIT.
  2. Must demonstrate significant and unique contributions towards the improvement and quality of campus life, tradition, pride, and spirit at RIT.
  3. Demonstrate the following qualities:
    1. Leadership ability
    2. Good campus citizenship
    3. High personal standards
  4. Must be a student in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
  5. Be a matriculated full or part-time student pursuing academic credits toward undergraduate, graduate or CCE programs.
  6. Be in good Judicial Standing.

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What is the Cheryl Bulls, Lanette Moore and Susan Willoughby Memorial Scholarship?

On November 25, 1996, three AALANA student leaders were tragically killed in a car accident on their way home to Buffalo for Thanksgiving. Susan Willoughby, Lanette Moore and Cheryl Bulls are deeply missed by the RIT community. Through an outpouring of emotion by RIT students, faculty and staff members, the university established the RIT Memorial Endowed scholarship to pay tribute to these three young women, as well as other members of the RIT community who are taken from us.

The Cheryl Bulls, Lanette Moore, & Susan Willoughby Memorial Scholarship Qualifications:

  1. Leadership is the number one criteria. Demonstrate leadership through involvement in student groups and/or community activities.
  2. Recipients must be ALANA students: African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian American or Native-American.
  3. Demonstrate the following qualities:
    1. Leadership ability
    2. Good campus citizenship
    3. High personal standards
  4. Must be a student in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative 2.30 GPA.
  5. Be in good Judicial Standing.

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What is the Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Fund?

For many people on the RIT campus, Isaac L. Jordan Sr. represented the best of the human spirit: compassionate, fair, committed to promoting community among all people and supportive of people in their individual struggles to obtain economic and social equality.

Jordan transformed the minds and hearts of the people who worked and studied at Rochester Institute of Technology. His death in 1994 left a void in many lives.

Isaac L. Jordan Sr. was both a humanitarian and a visionary. He envisioned a community that celebrated differences and that allowed individuals to develop to their fullest potential. His energies were totally dedicated to creating this kind of world. This fund was established to honor his vision and his memory.

Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Fund Award Qualifications:

(NOTE: There are different academic requirements for each award.  There are TWO Isaac L. Jordan Awards, please be certain to apply only to those awards for which you qualify.)

  1. Demonstrate the following qualities:
    1. Leadership ability
    2. Good campus citizenship
    3. High personal standards
  2. Must be a student in good academic standing.
  3. Be in good Judicial Standing.

Freshman Award Qualifications:

  1. Be an incoming 1st year student. (44 credit hours or less)
  2. Write an essay (2 pages)
    1. Essays must reflect leadership, service, and spirit for the work of diversity.
    2. Please contact Alfreda Brown for further details at axbpro@rit.edu

Upperclassmen Award Qualifications:

  1. Be a returning RIT student (45 credit hours or more)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of diversity through overt contributions in this area.
  3. Be willing to work with the Commission for Promoting Pluralism to help our student community become more involved in promoting pluralism.
  4. Write an essay (2 pages)
    1. Essays must reflect leadership, service, and spirit for the work of diversity.
    2. Please contact Alfreda Brown for further details at axbpro@rit.edu

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What is the Joe Ferraro Memorial Scholarship?

The Joe Ferraro Memorial Scholarship was established in November 2000 as a lasting tribute to Joe's commitment to establishing friendships and building bridges between people of diverse backgrounds. The scholarship was established by Joe's family including Doreen Ferraro, Jason Ferraro, and Irving Gordon.

Joe was known for his broad range of interests including membership in a fraternity (Phi Kappa Tau), serving as an intramural referee, and establishing the roller hockey sport club. Tragically, Joe died after contracting meningococcal meningitis following a Hillel sponsored trip to Israel in June 2000.

The Joe Ferraro Memorial Scholarship Qualifications:

  1. Demonstrate extensive involvement or leadership in one or more areas of student activities and campus life while also overcoming some degree of adversity in their life, as evidenced in their essay. These areas of activities may include:
    1. Athletics
    2. Student Government
    3. Recognized Student Clubs, Club Sports
    4. Recognized Fraternities or Sororities
    5. Other Significant Activities.
    6. Community Service
  2. Demonstrate the following qualities:
    1. Leadership ability
    2. Good campus citizenship
    3. High personal standards
  3. Additional Essay Requirement
    Many students learn leadership because they feel that they have overcome hardships or unique challenges which in effect, made them who they are today. Identify those unique challenges that you feel have shaped your life and helped you to develop a unique leadership skill set. Then explain how those skills will help you positively influence the lives of other students on the RIT campus.
  4. Must be a student in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
  5. Have completed at least 40 credit hours of classes.
  6. Must be returning to RIT through at least the end of the Winter Quarter of the following year.
  7. Be in good Judicial Standing.
  8. Priority will be given to those students who demonstrate financial need.

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What is the Walls-Olson Scholarship?

Mr. and Mrs. A. Arthur Gorfain established the Walls-Olson Scholarship in 1969. It was founded in appreciation of the interest that RIT faculty and staff members, Mr A. Stephen Walls and Mrs. Beverly Olson expressed for the Gorfains' son Neil while he was an RIT student. This fund provides annual awards to students who demonstrate active involvement in Student Affairs.

The Walls-Olson Scholarship Qualifications:

  1. Demonstrate extensive involvement or leadership in one or more areas related to Student Activities and campus life. These may include:
    1. Athletics
    2. Student Government
    3. Recognized Student Clubs, Organizations, or Activities.
    4. Community Service
  2. Demonstrate the following qualities:
    1. Leadership ability
    2. Good campus citizenship
    3. High personal standards
  3. Must be a student in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
  4. Have completed at least 40 credit hours of classes.
  5. Must be returning to RIT through at least the end of the Winter Quarter of the following year.
  6. Be in good Judicial Standing.
  7. Priority will be given to those students who demonstrate financial need.

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What is the Women's Council of RIT Endowed Scholarship?

The Women's Council of RIT Endowed Scholarship is a
****SEPARATE APPLICATION AND PROCESS***

The Women's Council of RIT Endowed Scholarship Qualifications:

  1. Be women students in any program at RIT.
  2. Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better.
  3. Have strong campus/community involvement.
  4. Have excelled in spite of exceptional/difficult personal or family circumstances.
  5. Demonstrate financial need.

Please contact the Women’s Center for Application Deadline as it differs from all other awards.

Interested students must complete an application and submit to
The Women’s Center (SAU A-501)
Questions? Please Contact The Women’s Center for more information.
Voice/TTY: 585 475 7464
www.rit.edu/womenscenter

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Scholarship Process

  1. How Do I Apply For These Scholarships?

    In order to be considered, you must:

    1. Obtain an application form from the Student Alumni Union Information Desk, the Financial Aid Office, the RIT Leadership Institute, or online. Receive a written nomination for the Eric Senna Award.
    2. You must meet the requirements for the awards you are applying.
    3. Complete and Submit the Essay
      1. Applicants for the Davis, Keyes, Senna, Walls-Olson and/or the Bulls, Moore and Willoughby Scholarships please see Part VI of the application.
      2. Isaac L. Jordon Sr. Fund Scholarship applicants must answer all questions on Part VI of the application and answer an additional essay outlined above. All questions must be addressed in your essay! Failure to do so may jeopardize your application.
      3. Joe Ferraro Scholarship Applicants must answer all questions on Part VI of the application and answer an additional essay question as detailed above and in Part VI.
    4. Develop or Update Your Resume and Submit
    5. Obtain and submit two letters of reference.
      1. One letter from a supervisor, faculty or staff member within the RIT community who can speak about your contribution to RIT campus life.
      2. One personal reference letter from a member of the RIT faculty or staff or your home community. This cannot include a fellow student or relative.
    6. Submit the application, resume, letters of recommendation and your essay one of three ways:
      1. Online here: Click for Application

      2. Hard copy to: Download Application

        Gwen Van Laeken
        Scholarship Selection Commitee
        RIT Leadership Institute
        34 Lomb Memorial Dr
        Rochester, NY 14623

        (Student Alumni Union 04 Room 2130, located upstairs in the SAU RITreat above the SG/OCASA offices)

      3. Via email to: Gwen Van Laeken (gavccl@rit.edu) Important- Please include "2009 Scholarship" in the email subject line AND your name should be in the document file name(s) (i.e. JohnDoe-Resume.doc) Thank you!

    Letters of recommendation can also be sent via fax to Gwen Van Laeken at 585.475.7019 and it will be added to your scholarship packet.

  2. What is the selection process?

    1. The award(s) will be announced in the spring quarter of 2009 and funds will be transferred in the fall quarter of 2009.
    2. The amount of the award will be applied to the student(s)' Institute account for support of his/her educational needs beginning in the fall quarter of 2010.
    3. Upon review of all relevant information (i.e.: applications, financial need, letters of recommendation, essay) the selection committee (established by the Student Affairs Division) will make the final selection of recipient(s). The committee may also consider your application for any of these awards they feel you qualify for.
    4. Notification to applicants will be made by mail on or before the second week of April 2009.
    5. The Davis Scholarship Leadership Awards will be presented at a special scholarship dinner on Tuesday April 21st at 6:00 PM.

  3. Questions?

    Any questions or concerns regarding the Davis Scholarship Awards, the Kathleen M. Keyes Award, the Eric Senna Award, the Isaac L. Jordan, Sr. Fund or the Cheryl Bulls, or the Lanette Moore & Susan Willoughby Memorial Scholarship should be directed to:

    Gwen Van Laeken
    Assistant to the Director
    RIT Leadership Institute
    Student Alumni Union Room 2150
    Phone: (585) 475-6974
    Email: gavccl@rit.edu
    Fax: 585-475-7019     		Molly McGowan
    Director
    RIT Leadership Institute
    Student Alumni Union Room 2150
    Phone: (585) 475-6171
    Email: mtmccl@rit.edu

    Questions or concerns regarding:
    Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Fund:
    Alfreda Brown
    Chief Diversity Officer
    RIT Office of the President
    7000 Eastman
    Email: axbpro@rit.edu
    Phone: 475-4993 V/TTY.     		Walls Olson or Joe Ferraro Scholarships:
    Michael D'Arcangelo
    Director
    Center for Campus Life, Room 2130
    Student Alumni Union Room 2130
    Phone 475-7058 V/TTY
    Email: mndccl@rit.edu

They must be completed and submitted by Friday March 20, 2009 11:59 PM.

Proceed to Application

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