This edition of Student Spotlight highlights the 2015 recipients of the Jeffrey J. Wallace Scholarship. These two successful young men have used their talents and work ethic to develop as both exceptional students and people. Congratulations to David Asimeng and Emmanuel “Manny” Guzman, the 2015 Wallace Scholarship Recipients.
David Asimeng (Visual Arts and New Media), came from The Bronx, New York, to Fredonia in the fall of 2012, with the goal of receiving a degree in Visual Arts and New Media (VANM). Although David was initially denied entry into the Visual Arts and New Media program, he could not see himself pursuing any other field. With this in mind, David worked through his first semester, developed as a student, and was admitted to VANM in the spring of 2013. David credits EOP with helping him “spark good habits and ease…into the college setting after high school, clearly informing me that nothing about college is easy, but (its) not impossible either.” David has continued to excel as a student while also branching out into leadership roles on campus. Using the connections he developed though EOP, David became an executive board member of Brother-to-Brother, and a has continued to thrive academically becoming a member of Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE), national college academic honor society for opportunity programs, in the March 2015.
Emmanuel Guzman (Communication Disorders and Sciences), is also from The Bronx, New York, and came to Fredonia in the fall of 2012 but had different obstacles to overcome. Manny came to Fredonia anxious about his academic future, and struggled adjusting to the workload of his major. With the help of Ms. Rachel Skemer, Manny's EOP counselor, he took advantage of the Learning Center and the tutoring program to develop into an outstanding student with a 3.72 GPA. He was inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon in March 2014. Manny also looked to EOP for support when he lost both of his grandmothers and his grandfather in his sophomore year. He was devastated and unable to attend the services, but he looked to EOP and found the support he needed to succeed. Throughout all of this, Manny has continued to excel in his field, assisting his professor by collecting data, and presenting their results in the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention in the fall of 2014. EOP was there for Manny again, paying the registration fee, and allowing Manny to present his analysis at the conference. Manny credits EOP for assisting him in his achievements stating “EOP has broadened my horizon and has allowed me to set goals that not only challenge my knowledge buy encourage me to pursue greater achievements.”
The Dr. Jeffrey J. Wallace Sr. Leadership and Excellence Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in fall 2008 in recognition of the contributions, dedication, and leadership of Dr. Jeffrey J. Wallace Sr. who was director of the Educational Development Program from 1972-1981. It was his vision and dedication which laid the foundation for the growth and development of the Educational Development Program currently in place at the State University of New York at Fredonia. The term “development” in the name of the program represents Dr. Wallace’s vision of the process that students go through in becoming successful and contributing citizens. The selection committee looks for candidates who demonstrate the characteristics and determination exhibited by Dr. Wallace in his quest for student success.
Criteria for the scholarship are for EOP students to have earned at least 50 credit hours; must be enrolled at least one semester after receiving the scholarship; must be in good academic standing (minimum 2.50 CUM GPA); and must have evidence of campus and/or program leadership, maturity. A 500-600 word essay is required and should include (but not limited to) a description of successes and challenges while at Fredonia and the strategies used to achieve academic success. Highlights of involvement in the campus community and how the Educational Development Program has been instrumental in assisting them in achieving their goals should be addressed.
The list of eligible scholarship candidates is reviewed by the EOP staff and recommendations go to the scholarship committee consisting of Emma McFayden ‘76, Keith McFayden ‘77, Dr. Sherryl Weems ‘76, Dr. Jawaan Wallace, and Dr. Jeffrey J. Wallace ‘68. Contributions may be made to the Fredonia College Foundation, earmarked Wallace Leadership and Excellence Endowment Fund, at any time—www.fredonia.edu/foundation/. Many thanks go to those who have already made a contribution.