Jestina Brown

Jestina Brown of Paterson, N.J. is a Biology Major with a 4.00 GPA.

At Ramapo, Jestina is a part of several organizations and activities, including the Honors College, Educational Opportunity Fund Program and Black Student Union.

Jestina’s plan after graduation is to attend medical school. “I plan to give back to my community by one day putting interactive academic programs and scholarships into schools. I want to be the change I want to see in my community.” Jestina is originally from a small town in Jamaica, where she lived until she was 13 years old. 

“My goals are to become a neurosurgeon and work with Médecins Sans Frontières, an organization that provides medical assistance to those affected by disasters, conflict, epidemics, etc,” says Jestina.

Awarded Scholarships

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2023

Milton M., Ph.D. & Granville C. Gittens EOF Scholarship

“Milt Gittens was a kind and supportive colleague and a tremendous role model to minority students and all who knew him,” says Professor Constance Crawford. Milton Gittens, Ph.D joined the Ramapo College faculty in 1973 and served as convener of the Management concentration of the Business Administration major for a number of years.

In 2004 Dr. Gittens received the Friends of the Educational Opportunity Fund Award. The year before, he was inducted into the Ramapo College Chapter of Delta Mu Delta National Honor Society for Business Administration.

Dr. Gittens created two endowed scholarships at Ramapo College through bequests left in his will. Both awards are intended to recognize students who are “descendants of slavery in the United States or Barbados in the West Indies.” This award is specifically for students registered with the Educational Opportunity Fund who “are from low-income communities.” The award is named for Dr. Gittens and his father, Granville Caldecott Gittens.

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Sevanti P. Manandhar Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Sevanti P. Manandhar lost her mother in her early years, and was raised in India by her father, a British army captain. Her father was a committed community leader who worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions and education of young women and girls, and he was a major influence in shaping Sevanti’s worldview.

Sevanti earned a Master’s degree in Psychology from Punjab University and received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States. After raising her children, she began working at the George T. Potter Library at Ramapo College, where she enjoyed interacting with and mentoring the student aides who worked there.

After her death in 2019, her husband Madhu and family created this scholarship to honor her positive experience at Ramapo and her commitment to the education of women.

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Hiden Family College Honors Scholarship Endowment

Robert B. Hiden Jr. was an active member of the Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governors since 2002. He provided exemplary service to the board as Chairman of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Finance Committee, Investment Committee, Allocations Committee and the Motorcycle Rally Committee. He and his wife Ann established the Hiden Family College Endowment to “tangibly recognize the outstanding work done at the College in a way that helps students and hopefully enhances their academic experience.”

During his time as a member of the Board of Governors, Bob witnessed the growth of the College first hand. He demonstrated a commitment to this growth through financial support for unrestricted funds and events, contributions for the Havemeyer Edible Garden, and for science equipment for students.

Professionally, Bob served as senior counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell since he retired in 2000. He had been a partner since 1968, specializing in corporate and securities law, acquisitions, and in commodities and derivatives law. Sadly, Mr. Hiden passed away in February of 2018.