13 Teens from City Public and Parochial Schools Are Chosen as NYU’s First Rudin Scholars; a $15,000 Scholarship for Each New York University President L. Jay Oliva today announced the first winners of the Rudin City Scholarship, an NYU scholarship program for New York City high school graduates. The 13 members of the Class of 2002 come from public and parochial high schools in all five boroughs. Each will receive a minimum of $15,000 towards their tuition.
The program, newly established this year, is available only to students graduating from a New York City high school.
Dr. Oliva said, “NYU is not a university that just happens to be in New York City; NYU is inseparable from New York. Our pathways are city sidewalks. So we cherish our homegrown’ students the talented graduates of New York City’s high schools. They are the creators of NYU’s character and culture smart, striving, funny, dedicated, and hard-working,
“That’s why we consider the establishment of the Rudin Scholarships so important. It reflects the University’s commitment to the city and the people that made us what we are.”
The program is named in honor of real estate developer Lewis Rudin, president of the Association for a Better New York (ABNY) and an alumnus and trustee of NYU.
Chosen By City Educators
A mailing was sent last winter to all New York City high school guidance offices informing them of the new scholarship program for city high school graduates. All applicants from New York City high schools were reviewed as potential candidates, and 55 were selected to submit essays based on a quote from John Steinbeck about New York City.
After the essays were submitted, the students’ applications which included the essay, the students’ record of volunteerism and leadership, a recommendation by a guidance counselor and the students’ school records were reviewed by assistant principals and counselors from high schools in all five boroughs, who chose the finalists.
A defining characteristic of each of the eight women and five men chosen is a substantial record of service and volunteerism. In addition, the 13 scholarships recipients had excellent academic records: average GPAs of A and average SAT scores in excess of 1400. Four are from Brooklyn, three are from Queens, three are from Staten Island, two are from Manhattan and one is from the Bronx. Seven of the students attended public high schools; six attended parochial schools.
The scholarship recipients include:
- Wan-Ho (Ivan) Wah, a graduate of Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn: In addition to an excellent academic record, he volunteers at the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association, which provides day-care and elderly services, and tutors children in an after-school program.
- Robin Mates, a graduate of Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn: Robin is interested in pursuing a career in education; she tutors in math and science at her high school and works as a camp counselor during the summer. In addition, she is an accomplished clarinet player
- Tamika Turner, a graduate of Townshend Harris High School in Queens: In addition to her work with the AIDS Council of Queens and as a member of the YMCA Teen Council, Tamika has also involved herself in city politics as a volunteer
New York University, which is located in New York’s historic Greenwich Village neighborhood, was established by special New York State Legislation in 1831. It is one of the most prestigious research institutions in the world. Through its 13 schools and colleges, it conducts research and provides education in the arts and sciences, law, medicine, dentistry, education, business, public administration, nursing, social work, and the cinematic and performing arts, among other areas.