Scholarships

Art

Dr. Edwin A. Ulrich Scholarship

The Dr. Edwin A. Ulrich Scholarship is awarded to rising juniors or seniors with financial need, majoring in Business or Art, from the Hudson Valley. This scholarship is renewable provided the recipients continue to meet the awarding criteria.

Liu Shiming Scholarship in Fine Arts

Established with a generous gift from the Liu Shiming Art Foundation, the Liu Shiming Scholarship in Fine Arts will provide scholarship support to full-time undergraduate students at Marist’s Florence, Italy campus pursuing a degree in Studio Arts, Fine Arts or Conservation Studies. Award to a sophomore, junior or senior in good academic standing showing artistic promise and potential in the major field. Preference will be given to students with a disability or special education need.

Communication

Gerald T. McNulty ’79 & Kathleen M. Norton McNulty ’79/’14M Scholarship

Established by Marist alumni Gerald T. McNulty ’79 and Kathleen M. Norton McNulty ’79/’14M, the Gerald T. McNulty ’79 & Kathleen M. Norton McNulty ’79/’14M Scholarship will be awarded to incoming first-year students with demonstrated financial need majoring in communication arts. Preference will be given to students from Long Island or the New York tri-state area. Scholarship awards will be renewable for three additional years provided the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA and continues to meet awarding criteria.

Gerry and Michael O’Brien Communications Scholarship

Established by Marist alumnus Michael O’Brien ’86 in honor of his parents, the Gerry and Michael O’Brien Communications Scholarship is awarded to a traditional undergraduate first-year student majoring in Communication with demonstrated financial need. Scholarship renewals are contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and continuing to meet awarding criteria.

John M. and Patrice M. Cianci Scholarship

The John M. and Patrice M. Cianci Scholarship was established at Marist College by the Cianci family and members of the IBM community. It provides financial assistance to traditional age Hudson Valley students who transferred to Marist to pursue an undergraduate degree in Communication. This scholarship is renewed for one additional year provided the recipient qualifies academically.

Kevin Johnson Scholarship

The Kevin Johnson Memorial Scholarship is awarded to incoming first-year undergraduate students majoring in Communication. Kevin effectively used many forms of electronic communication as a vehicle to promote dialogue, peace and acceptance amongst a diverse range of peoples, and it is in this spirit that the scholarship was established. Applicants should have a demonstrated history of community involvement and are required to submit a brief statement explaining their desire and qualifications for this award.

Raphael Mark Memorial Scholarship

Established in memory of prominent radio news reporter and talk show host Raphael Mark, the Raphael Mark Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore, junior or senior student majoring in Communication Arts who is committed to pursuing a career in broadcast journalism and is a resident of the mid-Hudson region. First consideration will be given to residents of Dutchess County. Financial need and a brief statement from the applicant explaining his or her desire and qualifications for this scholarship are required.

Robert C. Norman Scholarship

The Robert C. Norman Scholarship was established by alumni, friends, and colleagues in honor of Professor Emeritus of Communication and Heritage Professor Robert C. Norman who retired after 34 years of teaching and directing the Communication Internship Program. The scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in Communication and the Arts on the basis of financial need and academic excellence. This scholarship is renewable provided the recipients continue to meet the awarding criteria.

Zachary Alexander Bassin Memorial Scholarship

The Zachary Alexander Bassin Memorial Scholarship has been established at Marist College by Phyllis Bassin in honor of her beloved son. Zachary was chosen as one of the College’s “100 Most Inspiring Students” because of his determination to fight insurmountable medical obstacles while living life on his own terms and pursuing his dream of a career in sports communication. The Zachary Alexander Bassin Memorial Scholarship provides annual financial assistance to full-time juniors majoring in sports communication who are in good academic standing and have demonstrated financial need. Scholarship awards will be renewable for one academic year if the recipients continue to meet the awarding criteria and remain in good academic standing.

Fashion

Cutty Sark Scholarship

The Cutty Sark Scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving Fashion Design student upon recommendation of faculty in the Fashion department. It is non-renewable.

Eva Block Memorial Scholarship

Named in memory of a member of the Class of 2012, the Eva Block Memorial Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to incoming first-year undergraduate students majoring in Fashion. Preference is given to talented and creative students who, like Eva, have a passion for fashion design and plan to pursue a career in the fashion industry. Annual award amounts will be determined in accordance with the College’s endowment spending policy and 80% of the distribution amount will be credited to the scholarship recipient’s student account as scholarship assistance. The remaining 20% will be retained in a special account for the recipient to use for the purchase of fabric or necessary course supplies. Appropriations from this special account will be administered by the Fashion department faculty. This need-based scholarship will be renewed for up to three years provided the recipient continues to meet awarding criteria.

John G. Ledes Endowed Scholarship

Established in June 2024 by Bayly Ledes, through the Ledes Foundation, the John G. Ledes Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a talented rising sophomore or junior with financial need enrolled in Marist’s Fashion Program. Preference will be given to a student who shows a demonstrated interest in any facet of the beauty industry, such as publishing, design, marketing, merchandising, or fragrances. Candidates for the scholarship will be identified by faculty in the School of Communication and the Arts- Fashion Department and awarding decisions will be made by the Dean in collaboration with the Office of Student Financial Services. Scholarship awards will be renewable for additional years provided the recipient maintains satisfactory academic progress and continues to meet awarding criteria.

Kate Spade New York Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior student majoring in Fashion Design who has demonstrated exceptional talent, commitment, and promise. The recipient is identified by faculty in the Fashion department and the award winner is announced at the annual Silver Needle Runway Show.

New York State Federation Of Home Bureaus Scholarship

The New York State Federation of Home Bureaus Scholarship was established in 1991 in honor of Dutchess County Home Bureaus. An annual award is made to a Fashion Major; the recipient must have financial need, reside within a county where New York State Federation of Home Bureaus, Inc. has organized chapters, and met other criteria established by the donor. In the absence of an eligible student in the first choice field of study, the alternative field of study will be Communication Arts.

Ruttura Family Scholarship

Peter and Donna Ruttura, parents of Stephanie Ruttura ’18, established the Ruttura Family Scholarship in appreciation of the education Stephanie received while a student in Marist’s fashion program. The Ruttura Family Scholarship will be awarded to a full-time, first-year undergraduate student majoring in Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising, with preference given to a student from Long Island, New York. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years (for a total of four years) provided the recipient remains in good academic standing and continues to meet the awarding criteria.

Susan Davidson Endowed Scholarship

Established in December of 2025, the Susan Davidson Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a talented first-year, sophomore, or junior undergraduate student with demonstrated financial need enrolled in Marist’s Fashion Merchandising program. Candidates for the scholarship will be identified by faculty in the School of Communication and the Arts-Fashion Department and awarding decisions will be made by the Dean in collaboration with the Office of Student Financial Services. Scholarship awards will be renewable for additional years provided the recipient maintains satisfactory academic progress and continues to meet awarding criteria.

Journalism

Charles G. and Cornelia M. Murray Scholarship in Print Journalism

The Charles G. and Cornelia M. Murray Scholarship is awarded to an upper-class Communication Arts major who is committed to pursuing a career in print journalism. Candidates must provide a statement expressing their career interest.

George D. Bernstein Memorial Scholarship in Print Journalism

Named for a respected journalist who worked and resided in Dutchess County, New York, the George D. Bernstein Scholarship in Print Journalism is awarded to a rising junior or senior student majoring in Communication Arts who shows exceptional promise as a print journalist. Candidates for the scholarship will be identified by senior faculty members in the Communication department based on the student’s academic accomplishment, professional preparation, and financial need. Preference will be given to journalism graduates from Dutchess Community College. Should a junior be awarded the scholarship, he or she would be eligible to receive the award their senior year.

Music

Charles & Mabel Conklin Chapel Endowment Scholarship for a Leader of Song

Each year a scholarship is awarded to an incoming student singer who has prior experience in a Catholic Church Choir, appropriate grades and the talent and willingness to commit to improving the musical efforts of the Chapel Choir. This scholarship is renewable for one additional year only after reviewed by the Campus Minister for Liturgical Services. Students are encouraged to contact the Department of Spiritual Life and Service, spirituallifeandservice@marist.edu.

Charles & Mabel Conklin Chapel Endowment Scholarship for Piano

Each year a scholarship is awarded to an incoming student pianist who has prior experience in a Catholic Church Liturgy, appropriate grades and the talent and willingness to commit to improving the musical efforts of the Catholic Chapel Community. This scholarship is renewable for one additional year only after reviewed by the Campus Minister for Liturgical Services. Students are encouraged to contact the Department of Spiritual Life and Service, spirituallifeandservice@marist.edu.

Frank A. Fusco Music Scholarship

The Fusco Music Scholarship was established by the Frank A. Fusco and Nelly Goletti Fusco Foundation, Inc. to support incoming first-year and transfer students who are talented vocalists and instrumentalists committed to participate in Marist's music programs and have demonstrated financial need. This scholarship perpetuates the memory of longtime Dutchess County residents Frank and Nelly Fusco and celebrates their shared love of music. Awards will be made by the Marist Office of Student Financial Services in consultation with the Director of Marist's Music Program. Scholarship awards will be renewable subject to satisfactory performance and ongoing good standing within the music program. An audition is required for consideration.

Nelly Goletti Music Scholarship

To honor the memory of Nelly Goletti, an international entertainer and composer who was a long-time resident of Dutchess County, the Nelly Goletti Music Scholarship was established with a gift from The Frank A. Fusco & Nelly Goletti Fusco Foundation. In support of Nelly Goletti’s legacy, the scholarship is awarded to a sophomore or junior who is a superior and passionate musician. Financial need is a criterion. Awards are made by the office of Student Financial Services in consultation with the Music Program’s director. The scholarship is renewable provided the recipient remains in good academic standing.

General School of Communication and the Arts Students

Joan “Schatzie" Gasparovic Gambeski ’83 Scholarship

Established with a generous gift from George Gambeski ’77, in memory of his wife, the Joan “Schatzie” Gasparovic Gambeski ’83 Scholarship will be awarded to an academically talented rising junior in the School of Communication and the Arts with demonstrated financial need and a minimum GPA of 3.0 First preference will be given to students who are actively involved in campus life, engaged in community service, and/or employed part-time, on or off campus. Scholarship awards are renewable for one additional year provided the recipient remains in good academic standing and continues to meet awarding criteria.