News

Students Receive SBS Scholarships

Congratulations to all of this year's SBS students who earned scholarships for internships, study abroad and meritorious academic achievement.

Each of these scholarships is funded through private gifts.  If it were not for the support of our generous alumni and friends, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences would be unable to acknowledge these remarkable students and contribute to their undergraduate educations. At the Awards Ceremony on May 16 at the Campus Center, several of these donors were in attendance.

The Scott J. Bacherman awards were established in 2004 to honor the memory of Scott who was the program manager for WMUA from 1973 to 1975. Two awards are presented each year to students who have an interest in broadcasting and convergence media. Present at the event were Susan Ryerson, Scott’s widow; Marc Berman, Scott’s cousin and business partner, and his wife Betsy Stone; Scott’s daughter Jade and his mother Rosalyn.

Also at the Scholarship Ceremony was George Hertz ’69 (government) ’73 MPA, who created a scholarship to honor his father, Philip Hertz ’75, MS (public health), a community leader and a true public servant who attended UMass Amherst late in his life. The Hertz scholarship goes to a graduate student in public policy who has shown a commitment to serving the public good.

Alan LeBovidge ’64 (economics) and his wife Carol were on hand as well. Last year they established a scholarship that provides undergraduates with fantastic opportunities to be research assistants. These students gain invaluable experience by working on a substantive research project with a member of the UMass Amherst faculty.

Dwight Merriam '68 (sociology) was in attendance too. His Merriam Internship Scholarship honors the memory of his aunt, Oreana Merriam, who taught for many years in the Home Economics Department on campus, and his sisters, Deborah Merriam ’71 and Dorothy Merriam ’86, MS ’00. The award supports summer or semester-long internships in public policy, law, ecological conservation, and/or real estate development. Because Mr. Merriam is willing to also share his experience and vast network of contacts, recipients gain a significant competitive advantage upon graduation.

Henry Barr ’68 (government), chair of the SBS Dean's Advisory Board, also came to Amherst for the event. He established The West End House Scholarship that provides a multiple-year award to a student recommended by the West End House Boys and Girls Club in Allston, Mass.

Support from the Ansin family has created a financial aid program for study abroad where none existed before. Since their initial gift, they have enabled more than 200 undergraduates to experience living and studying overseas. The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences strongly encourages its students to study abroad. One of the aims of the College is to prepare individuals to be intelligent and committed global citizens. Exposure to diverse cultural perspectives through study abroad is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop a better understanding of society and themselves. This year, 19 Ansin Fellows will be traveling to study at locations around the globe. Ron Ansin and his son Bob '96 (political science) were present at the Scholarship Ceremony to wish them bon voyage.

Giving to scholarships makes opportunities possible for students who otherwise might not be able to take advantage of life- and career-shaping opportunities like travel abroad or internships or even continuing with their educations. Why not consider a gift today? You can give online to SBS scholarships, or if you have something more specific in mind, contact James Mallet, director of development (413.577.1700).

Click here for a listing of all student award recipients and pictures of the event.

May 28, 2009