Allan Baum

Allan Jay Baum III of Kinnelon, N.J. is a Computer Science major and a Biology minor with a focus on Premedical Studies. He has a 3.87 GPA and has been on the Dean’s List every semester since matriculating at Ramapo.

At Ramapo, Allan is an active member in the Math Club as Vice President for two consecutive years, the Pre-health club as Treasurer, and the College Honors Program. He also serves as a peer tutor for the Computer Science department, doing his best to assist students with their introductory coursework.

Off-campus, Allan has volunteered with the Lincoln Park First Aid Squad as an EMT. He also works at Cedar Crest in Pequannock, NJ, where he also uses his EMT skills in the independent living facility’s Security department. Allan additionally serves as a research assistant at the East Orange VA. He has maintained his membership with the Wayne Radio Amateur Radio Team, where he previously served as membership chair. WRAET is an amateur radio club whose principal mission is to support the Wayne OEM with communications during times of need.

Upon graduation, Allan hopes to further his education by attending medical school.

Arin Shatkin

Arin Shatkin of Spring Valley, N.Y. is an adult returning student and is a psychology major with a focus in pre-medical studies. He has a 3.82 GPA and is on the Dean’s List.

Arin has been involved with his hometown EMS agency, Spring Hill Community Ambulance Corps, Rockland Paramedic Services, and Englewood Hospital Emergency Medical Services. At Englewood Hospital EMS and Rockland Paramedic Services, Arin works as a Paramedic on nights and weekends. In addition, Arin volunteers as a Lieutenant for Spring Hill and is the agency Training Officer, overseeing the EMS instruction for over 200 members and accomplishing Top Responder for multiple years. Arin has also held other administrative roles like committee chairs and corresponding secretary. 

Arin says, “The COVID-19 pandemic inspired me to return to school and further my education and ability to help people. I want to go to medical school and complete a residency in emergency medicine. I hope to acquire a fellowship specialty in Emergency Medical Services with the hopes of expanding and improving pre-hospital emergency medicine.”

Kathryn Moskal

Kathryn Moskal of Oakland, N.J. is a Nursing major with a concentration in Spanish. She is a member of both the Honors College and the Alpha Lambda Delta academic honors society.

She is a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha and a Resident Assistant, and holds leadership positions in multiple clubs including Chemistry/Bio Club, First Responders Club and others.

Kathryn has been recognized as an officer and is currently the Secretary of the Oakland First Aid Squad. She also works as a pharmacy technician to gain more experience in the medical field.

Kaetlynn Ayala

Kaetlynn Ayala of Lodi, N.J. is a Social Work major. She has a 3.89 GPA and is a member of the Dean’s List. She has demonstrated strength and potential as an intern during her Junior year in the undergraduate Social Work Program, leading to employment at a rewarding non-profit organization.

At Ramapo, Kaetlynn has been active in several organizations, including the Social Work Club and the Phi Alpha Honor Society. Her involvement in these organizations strengthens her passion for the Social Work field. She has also been involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters as a mentor and the Lodi Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Squad where she serves as an Emergency Medical Technician, as well as President for two consecutive years.

“I have been accepted into Ramapo’s Master of Social Work Advanced Standing Program. I hope to continue gaining the knowledge and experience along with the collaboration with some of the most inspirational figures both on staff at the college and alongside me in the classroom. I plan on pursuing my this graduate degree in order to acquire the skills needed to become an effective Social Worker that will one day be considered a leader and a changemaker in the community.”

Kaetlynn Ayala

To pursue her passion of helping others, Kaetlynn Ayala of Lodi, N.J. is a Social Work major. She earned an Associate’s Degree from Bergen Community College and was fortunately able to transfer with a Merit Scholarship due to her high academic achievement. She recently interned at Bergen County Board of Social Services where she was exposed to welfare programs. “This experience ultimately sealed my interest in working with those in need.”

Kaetlynn has been a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician at the Lodi Ambulance Corps for 4 years, where she also currently serves as the youngest President of the organization. She has also been a Big Sister for over a year with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. “At the end of each day, I hope that I may have somehow made an impact on someone’s life.”

Lauren Passucci

Lauren Passucci of Saddle Brook, NJ is a Biology major with a minor in Neuroscience.

At Ramapo, Lauren has been active in the Ramapo College Peer Facilitation Program. As a peer mentor for First Year students she has been involved in Welcome Week activities and helping students adjust to college life.

Lauren is also as an active member of the Elmwood Park Volunteer Ambulance Corp. and currently holds an executive board position as Recording Secretary. Lauren was awarded a certificate from Elmwood Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps in 2016 for a total of 602 volunteer hours. She also currently works at Twin Boro Physical Therapy.  She plans to attend a master’s program for her Doctorate of Physical Therapy post-graduation.

Kelly Gasnick

Kelly Gasnick of Park Ridge, NJ is a Nursing major with a 3.5 GPA. She has been a Dean’s List student for both the Spring and Fall 2015 semesters and was inducted into the National Society for Collegiate Scholars.

Kelly remains active off campus as a volunteer EMT for Triboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, demonstrating leadership capabilities as a Crew Chief. She also keeps busy volunteering as a puppy raiser for the Seeing Eye of Morristown.

Mary Kubler

Mary Kubler of Hackensack, N.J., is a biology major in the physician assistant articulation program. A transfer student, Mary attended the Marion Military Institute her freshman year where she was inducted into the Scabbard & Blade Military Honor Society.
At Ramapo, Mary is a member of the Biology and Pre-med Clubs. Off campus, she is an EMT for a private ambulance company and volunteers for the Ridgefield Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Mary also shadows the Flight Medicine Unit at McGuire Air Force Base.
Mary plans to become a physician assistant in the United States Air Force.

Alicia Miller

Alicia Miller of Mahwah, NJ is a Biochemistry major. Her interest in medicine was sparked ten years ago when she was beset by a major illness doctors could not diagnose. She decided then to pursue a career as a physician so that she could “make a positive contribution to people’s lives the way that the best doctors did for me.” At 16, she became a state-certified EMT. She serves on the Mahwah squad and is proud to have been elected first lieutenant, the youngest officer in the squad’s history and second in-command of more than 60 members. Last summer, Alicia completed an internship at Texas A & M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science as a lab assistant. On campus, she is a peer facilitator for first-year students and has conducted research as part of the TAS Honors Program. Alicia serves as president of Phi Lambda Upsilon and ASBMS Undergraduate Biochemistry Network and vice president of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Club. She is also an Honors Executive Board member. “I plan on taking an active role within my community through clinic work or by developing supportive organizations for the underprivileged,” she said. Alicia has a 3.64 grade point average.

Thomas Colella

Thomas Colella of Holmdel, N.J. is a history major, with a psychology minor in the Teacher Education Department. He has a 3.99 grade point average and is a member of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

At Ramapo, Thomas has been active in several organizations and activities, including working as a Senior Resident Assistant and the Chairperson of Rho Alpha Sigma Resident Assistant Honor Society.

Thomas has also been involved in off –campus activities and organizations, including substitute teaching with Source4Teachers.

Paula Bohan

Paula Bohan is a junior from Williston Park, NY; a Biology major and an experienced EMT. Paula has a wide range of interests that have included lab assistant for microbiology research projects, working with the Ramapo College EMS, playing the piano and viola each for nine years and working as a certified lifeguard. Paula plans to continue her education in the helping professions by earning a graduate degree in a health related area. Paula continues to work with the ambulance service in her home town when she is there over the summer, and will become affiliated with the local service that now covers the Ramapo campus.

I would like to thank Frances Hackett for this scholarship. It will help me move forward in my professional goals.

Stephanie Lennox

Stephanie Lennox serves as a member of the emergency medical squad in her home town of Manalapan, NJ and rides for a private squad. This is her second year as captain of the Ramapo EMS. “Stephanie is an exemplary member of the squad,” says Debra Lukacsko, RN, the director of Student Health Services and advisor to the Ramapo EMS. “She is so dedicated, she worked as many as 30 hours a week at the beginning of the year to get the squad up and running.” Stephanie is a senior majoring in Nursing and has earned a 2.99 grade point average.

I believe it will help to keep my interest and fascination with a medical career going, as well as recognizing those who deserve it for the reasons I did: to help others who cannot help themselves.