American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 1904 at Montclair State University proudly announces the previous award recipients of the Becker/Keenen/Moore/Uhia/Waller Scholarships. Each student received a $500 award.

2005 Recipients

Paige Aronowitz received the Ellen Kerns Nunn Award. She is a senior majoring in Education, with a keen desire to work with children.  Paige, the mother of a 5 year old, is presently working two jobs. With the aid of our scholarship, she will be able to spend a little less time concerned about paying for her tuition and more time with her daughter who started kindergarten this fall.

Korina Sidanova, a junior, is majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and Finance. Originally from Moldavia, she came to the United States (with her family) in 2001. In spite of confronting the problems associated with being in a new country, Korina has been very active on and off campus. On campus, she tutors, in addition to belonging to several clubs.  Off campus, she is involved in different aspects of community service.  Korina also works at Macy’s in the Willowbrook Mall. Even with all these demands on her time, she has managed to achieve a 3.88 GPA and remain on the Dean’s List.

Carlethia Hamilton, a junior, is majoring in Justice Studies with a minor in Psychology. Carlethia has described her life as difficult and wants to help youngsters with similar experiences. To this end, she hopes to return to Camden, or a similar urban community, to work in a child welfare agency.

Michael J. McLean is a senior majoring in Political Science. Mike pays all of his non-tuition expenses. In his own words, Mike is deeply concerned with “human rights and social justice.” He has made important contributions to life at MSU. He was a founder of Students for Fair Trade which is responsible for MSU’s Dining Services selling Fair Trade coffee. He played a major role in starting the campus recycling initiative. These are just a few of his many activities.

Asher Paton, who expects to graduate in 2008, is majoring in Accounting and Finance. She hopes to work in a bank, assisting in making loans to help less privileged communities improve their infrastructures. Asher, originally from Guyana, is currently working as a volunteer in a food bank and with an organization for the disabled.

Rosemary Topar, a Music major, expects to graduate in 2006.  An accomplished violinist, she is a member of several honor societies and has been on the Dean’s list. She has worked in voter registration drives on campus and been active in campus activities that raised money for Breast Cancer and other women’s health issues. She was one of the organizers of an exhibit during AY 2004–2005, which raised campus awareness about the murders of Mexican women who work for multinational factories along the Texas-Mexican border. She presently works in the MSU Women’s Center.

Melanie Alberto Sophomore - PERLS
Omeche Joyce Idoko Junior - Biochemistry/Biology
Daniel Neyra Sophomore - Political Science/Legal Studies
Sarah Robinson Sophomore - Mathematical Sciences/Teacher Ed.

2000 Winners:

Ellie Abdi
Gina Casale
Tasha N. Gatling
Joesph Triolo

In May 1996, the members of AFT Local 1904 established the Scholarship Endowment Fund as an expression of esteem and respect for James P. Keenen III, Joseph T. Moore, Anita E. Uhia and Connie Waller. We honor their signal service to the University as founders and leaders of AFT Local 1904, and their distinguished intellectual and teaching careers. Awards made by the fund are known as Keenen/Moore/Uhia/Waller Scholarships and award recipients are known as Keenen/Moore/Uhia/Waller Scholars. The Fund is dedicated to help full-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least one semester at Montclair State University prior to the application date and who in whole or in part depend on their own work for economic resources required for their enrollment or otherwise to pursue their studies in a recognized University program.