Two Staff Members Awarded Whalen Scholarships

Two employees — Denise Benjamin (left) and Lola Snow (below)— are the recipients of the 1999–2000 JJ Staff Scholar Awards. These scholarships, named in honor of president emeritus James J. Whalen, give eligible staff members enrolled in a degree program at Ithaca College a cash award that can be used to defray the cost of their education. This is the third year the award has been given and the first time two staff members have received it at once. Donna Wray, occupational therapy, was the recipient in 1997; William Weeks, technical services, received it in 1998.

"Since we’re employees and our tuition has been waived, the money from the scholarship will come in handy for buying books, which for me is a major expense," says Benjamin, an administrative secretary in the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences. She expects to graduate in May 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Snow, who works in Muller Chapel as a secretary/department assistant and chairs the Staff Council’s Caring and Sharing Committee, is enrolled in the speech pathology and audiology program. She expects to graduate in 2002.

"During the 22 years former president Whalen led the College, he demonstrated his appreciation of staff in many ways," says Sue Vrzal, chair of the JJ Staff Scholar Award Committee and an assistant manager in the payroll office. "What better way to honor him than to recognize staff through a scholarship in his name?"

Fund-raising to create an endowment for the award began in 1997, with members of the College community helping reach the initial goal of $10,000. In the spring of this year, the board of trustees authorized an additional $100,000 out of year-end funds in order to demonstrate the strength of the College’s commitment to employees who wish to continue their education.

"The fund is now fully endowed," Vrzal says. "That means it’s a permanent part of Ithaca College."

In order to be considered for the award, candidates must be full-time staff members of the College working at grades 2 to 16. They must also be matriculating seniors who have completed at least 90 hours toward graduation and are maintaining a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Length of service is also a consideration. Benjamin has been working at the College since 1986, Snow since 1993.

For more information on the JJ Staff Scholar Award, call Vrzal at 274-3313.