SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDS AND PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY FACULTY COUNCIL

The Alan J. Berman Scholarship Award was established in 1988 to honor the values and principles that inspired the man colleagues describe as "a unique human being who stood for the highest possible levels of human behavior and human aspiration." The Faculty Council Scholarship Committee selects several students with the highest qualifications that exemplify his lifestyle and his work at the College to receive this annual monetary award. Dr. Berman was a dedicated and valuable member of the LaGuardia Faculty Council. Dr. Berman was a passionate advocate for students, faculty and union members, as well as serving as an activist for tenants' rights in his community. A professor in the English Department for 12 years, Dr. Berman earned a BA and MA at Boston University and a PhD at Harvard. He served as a Faculty Council Senate Representative, editor of the Faculty Council Newsletter and as a member of the Scholarship Committee. He co-authored a well-known textbook, Basic Business Communications, and edited a classic included in many libraries, Greene's Tu Quoque. Click here for more information (PDF).

(co-sponsored by Faculty Council) 

Left to Right: Guilherme de Almeida Pedroso (2012 Second Place Winner), Meiyin A. Hago Celi (2012 Library Book Store Humanitarian Award Recipient), Adrienne Miklos ( 2012 Second Place Winner) and Deborah McCoy (2012 Third Place Winner)  

The Annual Library Research Review Competition is jointly sponsored by the Library and Faculty Council. This unique program encourages and supports student research efforts at the college. Students who receive a grade of "A" on research papers written for a course at LaGuardia during the current academic year may submit the paper(s) into the competition. The papers are judged by a panel of faculty members from the college. Faculty Council provides prizes that include the following: a) First Place--Kindle Fire, a 7" Full Color Multi-Touch Display Tablet with audio and built-in Wi-Fi, b) Second Place-- Kindle Touch 3G with audio and built-in Wi-Fi, and c) Third Place--Kindle Touch with audio and built-in Wi-Fi. In addition, the winners receive the Library Research Review Award at Honors Night and all of the participants in the competition receive a Certificate of Participation. Click here for the flyer and application. Click here for the flyer and application.

The Belkis Necos Scholarship Award was established in 2010 to honor the contributions and legacy of a gifted  teacher and scholar, who prepared and inspired her students to achieve their academic goals. The Social Science Scholarship Committee will select a student that exemplifies her commitment to excellence. Prof.  Belkis Necos taught Anthropology and Sociology at LaGuardia for the last 17 years, where she dedicated her life's work to her students, and was always concerned for their intellectual and personal development.  Prof. Necos received her BA from Long Island University and her Master’s of Philosophy from The City University of New York, Graduate Center. She was most recently working on research for her Ph.D. in Anthropology. The criteria for the Belkis Necos' scholarship are as follows:   a) 3.3 GPA ,  b) Dominican heritage, c) Liberal Arts major,  and d) must have taken two courses in the Social Sciences.

The Celeste Ridgeway Scholarship Award was established in 2001 to honor the memory of Dr. Ridgeway’s work in the field of education. This award is presented to a student who shows outstanding promise and success in the field of Education. Dr. Ridgeway taught psychology in the Social Science Department from 1988 to 2000. Colleagues describe her as a superb teacher who used innovative pedagogy and teaching strategies in the classroom. She was one of the first faculty in the Social Science Department to employ technology in her courses, as part of the Minority in Science Research Project. She was also one of the first faculty members to teach in the joint summer program with Barnard College. Dr. Ridgeway took great joy and pride in seeing our students meet and exceed the demands of a four-year, Ivy League institution. Colleagues remember her as a bright, caring woman and an excellent educator who valued education and hard work. She served on many college-wide committees such as The College Curriculum Committee, The International Studies Committee, 504 Committee, Faculty Council, Middle States Committee, The International Studies Advisory Board and The Student Elections Review Committee. One of Dr. Ridgeway's most remarkable achievements was her service on the college-wide Committee on Program Effectiveness (COPE). She began as a member in 1989, and served as the chair from 1991 to January 1997. The committee, under her leadership, helped lay the groundwork for the institutional assessment process in general, and the Social Science departmental Self-Assessment and Evaluation in particular.

Left to Right: Mahanaj Sultana (2012 The Hannalyn Wilkens Scholarship Award Recipient) and William Kurzyna (Faculty Council President and Honors Night Presenter)

The Hannalyn Wilkens Scholarship Award was established in 2010 to honor the memory and work of Dr. Hannalyn Wilkens. This award is presented annually to a student who has exhibited academic excellence in course work for the Communication Skills Department, where Dr. Wilkens was a chairperson for over 20 years. Dr. Wilkens received a B.A. degree from the University of Chicago, and an M.A. and an Ed.D. from Teachers College of Columbia University. A dedicated educator, Dr. Wilkens advocated for programs that promoted Reading across the Disciplines and holistic reading. She championed pedagogy grounded in a content-based approach. Dr. Wilkens was also one of the founding members of the Faculty Council, which has served as a forum for the LaGuardia faculty to share their voices on college governance issues.

James A. Lydon was an extremely productive member of the LaGuardia ESL faculty from 1982 until his untimely death in 1991. In that time he made significant contributions to the College as, for example, in his pivotal role in the creation of the NYC Taxi Drivers’ Institute in early 1980’s. In the later years of that decade he served as Coordinator of the ESL Program. As such, he helped to shape the ESL Curriculum and was an eloquent voice for the Program in the College and in the larger forums of CUNY and national and international professional organizations. He was also an outstanding advocate for students and a talented and dedicated educator. He had particular interest in low-level ESL students and took meticulous care of them. A tireless scholar, he passed away when he was working on his doctorate. He was a loved and respected faculty member of LaGuardia.

James A. Lydon Memorial Award is offered to students graduating with the highest grade point average who began their college career in ESL.

Tara L. Gregg (2012 JoAnn Lanaro Scholarship Award Recipient)

The JoAnn Lanaro Scholarship Award was established in 1999 to honor the memory and work of Professor Lanaro to help students overcome challenges related to learning and physical disabilities. The Office for Students with Disabilities selects one of their graduating students with the highest grade point average to receive this annual monetary award. Ms. Lanaro was a professor at the College for more than 15 years, serving in the Accounting and Managerial Studies Department and in the former Office Technology Department. Professor Lanaro was relentless in her educational pursuit, which included an AAS degree from Bronx Community College, a BA degree from Lehman College and a MA degree from New York University. Colleagues remember Professor Lanaro as a dedicated educator who taught with love and patience. An active member of the LaGuardia Faculty Council, Professor Lanaro served on several committees such as the Fundraising Committee, Auction Committee, and Scholarship Committee. Her work on the 504/ADA Committee that addresses the needs and challenges of students with learning disabilities helped expand access for the physically challenged.

Left to Right:Melissa D. Lockley (2011 JoAnn Lanaro Scholarship Award Recipient) and Clementine Lewis (Chair, Faculty Council Scholarship Committee)

Left to Right: Marissa Medina (2009 JoAnn Lanaro Scholarship Award Recipient) and Clementine Lewis (Chair, Faculty Council Scholarship Committee)

Jasmine Patrice Holloway (2012 John Williams Memorial Award Recipient)

The John Williams Memorial Award was established in 2008 to honor the memory and work of Professor John W. Williams. This award is given to a student with outstanding performance skills involved in the musical arts. Professor Williams loved teaching, sharing the joy of music with his students, and he loved performing. He often said that the most memorable and rewarding thing for him was to see his students achieve. His passion for music and the arts will forever remain audible at LaGuardia as echoed in his numerous musical theater productions including: "Ain't Misbehavin," "The Wiz," "Bubbling Brown Sugar," "The Sound of Music," and "Guys and Dolls." Professor Williams formed the Jubilee Ensemble, established in the Lunchtime Concert Series, and lent his rich tenor soloist voice to programs both inside and outside of the College. He served as Chorus Conductor at the televised Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center in 1987. He directed the New York City Girl Scouts Choir and travelled to Tanzania, Africa to share his love for music with students in a village in Tanzania. Professor Williams' tenure at the LaGuardia spanned approximately thirty years, in which he advanced to Professor and Head of the Performing Arts Area in the Humanities Department. In 1973, Professor Williams received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. He continued his academic and musical studies at Howard University in Washington, D. C. and received a Masters in Music Education Degree in 1974.