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Ruth Johnson International Scholarship Fund

This fund was created by Dick Johnson in memory of his wife, Ruth. The Johnsons were Mahwah residents for 20 years. Their son Andrew graduated from Ramapo in 1990 with a degree in Literature, then worked in England as an advertising copywriter. “Starting this scholarship was a way to memorialize Ruth and her appreciation of learning,” Mr. Johnson has said. The award benefits students who participate in a cooperative education experience abroad and the recipient is selected by the director of International Education.


2019 Recipient

Brian Faussette

Brian Faussette of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. is a Communication Arts major with a concentration in Global Communications. He has a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society and the Ramapo News.

Brian has also been involved in off –campus activities, including working part-time at the nearby Uncle Giuseppe’s chain. He is planning on studying abroad in Tanzania, Africa during the summer of 2019. “My dream is to work for National Geographic, specifically in the field of media production.”


2017 Recipient

Candace Beboe

“I am proud of the growth that I have undergone during my time at Ramapo and hope to have a career as an attorney and help fund the education of students like myself in the future,” said Candace Beboe of Jersey City, NJ.  She’s active in the Student Government Association, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority on campus. “In the positions I’ve held with these groups I’ve become a better leader and friend to my peers,” she added.

Candace has also been involved in off-campus organizations, including New City Kids, actively participating through their alumni base.

She has a 3.82 GPA and has been on the Dean’s list since her freshman year.



2016 Recipient

Arielle Saracinello

Arielle Saracinello of Dumont, NJ is a Social Work major with a minor in Substance Abuse. She has a 3.3 grade point average.

Arielle is a member of the Technology and Animation Studies Club, the Civic and Community Engagement Center, and the Social Work Club. She is also a Student Leader at the Ramapo Readers.

Arielle has interned for Meals on Wheels of Rockland and volunteered at Valley Hospital.


2015 Recipient

Gerson Lovera

Gerson Lovera of Garfield, N.J. is a social work major. He has a 3.47 grade point average. Gerson was inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon, the Social Work Honor Society.

At Ramapo, Gerson has been a tutor in the Office of Specialized Services, a member of the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and the community service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. Off campus, Gerson writes fiction. His stories examine issues affecting citizens of his native Peru including racism, discrimination and child abuse.  

Gerson plans to earn a master’s degree in social work and to become a licensed counselor.


2014 Recipient

Eladio Medina

Eladio Medina of North Bergen, NJ is a Communication Arts major with a concentration in Global Communication and Media. He is planning to participate in a Study Abroad program to Brussels, Belgium in Spring 2014 to enroll in the Communications Program at Vesalius College. Ben Levy, director of International Education said: “Eladio has had many personal and financial struggles in his life and has truly exemplified the motivations for a positive international education experience.” Eladio has a 2.96 grade point average.



2013 Recipient

Richard Suarez

Richard Suarez will be attending the Business and Spanish Program at the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain in the summer of 2013. Richard is a double major in Marketing and Psychology. “Richard is active on campus, and participated in Alternative Spring Break,” says Ben Levy, the Director of International Education. The senior has a 3.19 grade point average. He is from Ridgefield, NJ.



2012 Recipient

Valensiya Tsvetanova

Valensiya Tsvetanova is a senior from Bulgaria who came to the United States six years ago as an exchange student, and was placed in Elkhart, Indiana. Valensiya is majoring in Accounting and Law and Society, and is involved in many campus organizations and projects. Projects have included Alternative Spring Break, treasurer of three student clubs, Model UN, and Students for Free Enterprise. Valensiya plans to enter law school and earn an MBA at the same time.



2010 Recipient

Stoyan Stoyanov

Stoyan Stoyanov of Bulgaria, an International Business major, has a strong interest in emerging markets, an interest confirmed by his participation in the Model U.N. conference in New York City and Washington, DC. He takes pride in being the first international student elected a senator to represent the Anisfield School of Business (ASB) in the Student Government Association. In addition, he serves on ASB’s Student Advisory Council and is president of the International Business Club. Stoyan, who has a 3.95 grade point average, says, “I aim for a career in the Foreign Economic Policy Directorate at the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy and Energy. I believe if I have a direct impact on trade policy, I will be able to attract foreign businesses with a special emphasis on social responsibility.”



2009 Recipient

Ian Morsch

Ian Morsch is a senior majoring in international studies and has earned a 2.75 grade point average. “Ian is studying abroad in Japan now and completing a co-operative education experience this summer,” says the assistant director of cooperative education. Ian is from Sparta, New Jersey.

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