Gabriella DeGennaro

Gabriella DeGennaro of Wayne, N.J. is an Elementary Education major with a 3.8 GPA. She has made the dean’s list every semester and is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honors Society and Kappa Delta Pi (International Honor Society in Education). Gabriella will further her studies in Ramapo’s 4+1 Master of Arts in Special Education (MASE) Program.

At Ramapo, Gabriella has been active in several organizations and activities, including Ramapo’s Orientation Leader program, Future Teachers Of America, and the Leadership, Education, and Awareness for the Disabled (LEAD) club.

Off-campus, she is currently a teacher’s assistant at a daycare in her hometown. She has been working at the establishment for five years and truly loves caring for children of all ages. Gabriella is eternally grateful for the opportunities given to her at Ramapo, and she is looking forward to the future ahead of her.

After her graduation in May, Gabriella plans on taking on the position of a full-time teacher. Her post-graduation goals revolve around making a difference in the field of education as she hopes to guide, inspire, and educate students of all ages.

Awarded Scholarships

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2023

Marina and William Topken Teacher Education Scholarship

Marina Topken graduated from Ramapo College in 1987 with a degree in American and International Studies. She taught and translated German at several language institutions in the area and tutors children in underserved schools in Paterson, NJ. Mrs. Topken has been a steady supporter of the College’s The Fund for Ramapo College since 1997. She and her husband William have been involved with the Friends of Ramapo for many years and were instrumental in raising funds for the Friends. Mrs. Topken served as the Friends’ president and Mr. Topken as the group’s treasurer.

In 2006, Mr. and Mrs. Topken established this endowed scholarship fund to honor the positive relationship they have shared with the College and their commitment to education. Specifically, the Topken Scholarship benefits teacher education students who demonstrate community service and leadership at Ramapo.

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AFT Graduate School Scholarship

In 2002 the American Federation of Teachers Union (AFT Local 2274) at Ramapo College joined with the President’s Office to create an endowed scholarship fund.  When it was created, then President Smith wrote of the “constructive, harmonious and very productive relationship that exists between the Union and the College.”

The AFT Endowed Scholarship Fund has two programs: a Graduate School Scholarship and the Hank Frundt Memorial Scholarship. The Graduate School Scholarship provides an award to a graduating senior who intends to pursue graduate studies, particularly to students seeking careers in teaching or other academic areas.  The intent is to provide recognition for outstanding academic achievement and to encourage post-graduate scholarship.

The Hank Frundt Memorial Scholarship is for sophomores or juniors who are interested in labor studies, social justice, or Latin American economic/social development.  In 2011 the undergraduate award was named in memory of Dr. Frundt, who taught at Ramapo for 37 years in the areas of corporate studies and Latin American social and economic development.  Dr. Frundt served as president of the teachers’ union, as a delegate to the Council of New Jersey State College Locals and as a liaison to U.S. Labor Against the War.