In light of our current situation, everyone in our community could use some good news. Keeping that in mind, it’s wonderful to remember that this year, our generous alumni, donors, and friends have pulled together to award more than $5.9 million in scholarship, fellowship, and internship funds to over 1,643 John Jay students, with over 10 new scholarships created. What can we take away from that as a community? Our students are not only striving for academic excellence—no matter what obstacles come their way—but also, others truly believe in their resilience and ability to succeed.

“This event holds a special place in many of our hearts because it gives us the chance to see the powerful impact our donors, alumni, faculty, and friends have on the success of our students,” said President Karol V. Mason at the February 27 event. “We get to see firsthand the incredible potential and perseverance that lies within each of our students. And, most importantly, we get to thank all of our generous donors and friends for investing in our students’ education.” She went on to acknowledge that many of our students were facing challenges like: multiple jobs, caring for loved ones at home, serving our country, or contending with financial, housing, or food insecurity. But even while juggling all of these responsibilities, they continue to take on classes and public service opportunities.

New York Giants Touchdown Fellowship
“John Mara, the New York Giants President, CEO, and co-owner, very eloquently said, ‘The John Jay Touchdown Fellowship started because the team’s players—like safety Michael Thomas—wanted to support social change through social justice initiatives. One of the smartest ways that we can improve inequalities in our society is through education.’ I couldn’t agree with him more,” said Mason, introducing the donors and recipients of the New York Giants Touchdown Fellowship. The five new fellowships that the New York Giants created support students interested in criminal and social justice reform. Each fellowship includes an annual scholarship and a paid internship at a justice-focused organization. “It’s giving these incredible students the opportunity to fully explore issues through hands-on experience. And, we can’t thank the New York Giants enough for the opportunity,” said Mason, introducing Allison Stangeby, Vice President of Community & Corporate Relations for the New York Giants.

Stangeby said that the Giants were thrilled to have John Jay students be a part of their team. “As an executive with the New York Giants, and working in the community for the last 30 years, I know how important this commitment is to John Jay. And I know that without it, a lot of kids wouldn’t be able to continue their education,” said Stangeby. As a parent of three children in college herself, Stangeby explained that she fully understood how the cost of an education could be daunting to a family, and being able to ease some of that financial burden for John Jay students meant a great deal to the team. “Being able to help you guys, and provide that internship, that scholarship, just something to help ease the pain of paying for college, that means so much,” she said. “We’re glad to help you guys, and we’re proud of everything that you’re doing right now. We want you guys to be so successful and wish you nothing but the best.”

Women's Forum of New York
Before Mason asked the recipients of the Women’s Forum Education Fund Award to join her on the stage, she told the audience just how important our non-traditional students are to our community. “When it comes to fulfilling your educational dreams, here at John Jay, we know there’s never an age limit,” said Mason. “We know that non-traditional college students come to school with valuable life experiences and an enviable tenacity to overcome any adversity.” It’s because of those special talents and circumstances that the Women’s Forum Education Fund Award was specifically made to address the financial needs of underserved women over 35, who are on track to complete their bachelor’s degrees.

Elaine Wood, Managing Director, Duff & Phelps, LLC, explained that, “Since 1987, the Education Fund for the Women's Forum has been providing unrestricted grants to women 35 years old and older, who’ve had to overcome obstacles, and who are now on track pursuing their education and are really juggling many roles.” Being unrestricted, the funds for the award can go to anything that helps propel the student forward in her academic journey—be it paying rent, buying a new computer, obtaining childcare, or purchasing textbooks. “We at the Women’s Forum believe in women helping women. You look around at the awardees and think to yourself: What better way to make that happen than to give to the scholars that received this award?” 

Rosemarin Belliard Trailblazer Scholarship
One of the special things about the John Jay community is the overwhelming desire we have to “pay it forward.” Our students, faculty, and staff always seek out ways to support each other, especially after we’ve been lifted up ourselves. “Personally, I know how hard the generations before me worked to make sure I could succeed, and it’s my mission in life to repay that debt by uplifting the generations coming up behind me,” said Mason. The late Vielka Holness, former Director of the Pre-Law Institute, inspired alumna Rosemarin Belliard ’13, and now she’s paving the way for other students, like Jeevika Sidhu ’21, who aspire to join the legal profession. “With generous forward-thinkers like Vielka, Rosemarin, and everyone at the Pre-Law Institute [PLI], it’s easy to imagine a more diverse bar in our country and a fairer justice system. Right now, PLI is helping accomplish something that Vielka started. We are number eight in the country in sending minority applicants to law school,” said Mason, receiving a big applause from the audience.

Belliard, an Associate at Fragomen’s New York Office, told the audience that the purpose of the scholarship was twofold: to honor an important member of the John Jay community who is no longer with us, but who continues to live through us; and to open the door for students hoping to follow in Holness’ footsteps. “Someone I admire once said, a young person—no matter how privileged, or educated, or their access to resources—when they want to aspire to something—whether it’s being an attorney, police officer, or doctor—their goal only feels like steps on a track until there is someone in their life who can truly represent that profession,” said Belliard. “Having a mentor really confirms the possibility of what you can do. That’s something that I wanted to ensure as part of my journey as an attorney.”

Watch the Champions of Justice 2020 video

More scenes from the event: