Scholarships for Returning Students

The following named scholarships and fellowships are awarded to outstanding returning students. A faculty committee selects recipients of scholarships and makes recommendations for fellowships for returning students. Invitations to apply for such opportunities are sent out to eligible students each spring.

BERC Scholarships

The Berkshire Environmental Research Center, Ltd. (BERC), a nonprofit corporation with offices at Simon’s Rock, periodically awards scholarships to students who have moderated in Environmental Studies.

René G. Biber Scholarship

Established in 1991 as part of the College’s celebration of its 25th anniversary, this scholarship is named in honor of one of the College’s founding faculty members, in recognition of his 23 years of teaching language and intercultural studies. It is awarded annually to a returning student who has done outstanding work in the Division of Languages and Literature.

Thomas H. Blodgett Scholarships

Established by the Margaret Kendrick Blodgett Foundation to honor the father of the founder of Simon’s Rock, these scholarships are awarded annually to six returning students. One category of scholarships is available to students who qualify for need-based financial aid; another category is limited to seniors in the B.A. program who do not qualify for need-based aid. Both groups of scholars are selected on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrated contributions to enhancing the quality of life at Simon’s Rock.

Noah White Burris Scholarship

Established by his family and friends in memory of Noah White Burris ’97, this scholarship is awarded annually to a returning student who has demonstrated academic excellence in either philosophy or Eastern religions.

Connie Chambers Scholarship

Established in 2002 by Jason Clampet and Veronica Chambers ’87, in memory of her grandmother, this scholarship is awarded annually based on need and merit to support an Upper College student concentrating in Creative Writing.

Rodney Christopher Scholarship

The Rodney Christopher Scholarship provides financial assistance for Simon’s Rock students to expand their education by studying at select institutions abroad or within the United States as part of their Bachelor of Arts program. This scholarship is designed to ensure that all enrolled students, regardless of financial means, are able to take advantage of the full range of academic opportunities existing beyond the Simon’s Rock campus.

Celia Cruz Scholarship

Established in 2005 by Overseer Veronica Chambers ‘87 and her husband, Jason Clampet, to celebrate and honor the life of Latina songstress Celia Cruz, this endowed scholarship is awarded annually, based on need, to support the cost of voice lessons. The recipient is envisioned as a student deeply involved in music and/or the performing arts, preferably with an interest in Latin music.

Faculty Scholarships

Endowed by a foundation grant, these scholarships are awarded by a faculty committee to six returning sophomores with outstanding academic records who qualify for financial aid and submit excellent applications.

The Vince Finisdore Family Scholarship Fund

Established in 2006 by Marcia Finisdore, mother of alumna Susan Finisdore Higgins ’81, this endowed scholarship fund provides scholarship assistance to students who qualify under normal college procedures for financial aid and who have a hearing loss as measured by professional audiological testing. The award, which is not intended to pay for legally required services, may be continued from year to year as long as the recipient maintains satisfactory progress toward a Simon’s Rock A.A. or B.A. degree.

Galen Crotty Gibson Scholarship

This scholarship was established by people at the College and alumni to honor and help remember a student described by his teachers as “fresh, idiosyncratic, astute, original, engaging, lively, informed, and creative.” It is awarded to a returning student deeply involved in theater or one uniquely and enthusiastically committed to the good of the Simon’s Rock community.

Eileen T. Handelman Scholarship

Established in 1991 as part of the College’s 25th anniversary celebration, this scholarship is named in honor of one of Simon’s Rock’s founding faculty members and its former dean, in recognition of her 23 years of service teaching science and mathematics. It is awarded annually to a returning student who has done outstanding work in the Division of Science, Mathematics, and Computing.

Natalie Harper Scholarship

Established in 1991 as part of the College’s celebration of its 25th anniversary, this scholarship is named in honor of one of Simon’s Rock’s founding faculty members in recognition of her 24 years of dedicated service teaching writing and literature. It is awarded annually to a returning student who has done outstanding work in the Division of Languages and Literature.

Robert M. Hutchins Scholarships

These merit scholarships honor the scholar and educator whose efforts led to the creation of an early-college program at the University of Chicago in 1939. Up to 20 awards are made each year to students completing the AA program and entering the BA program who have demonstrated academic excellence and have contributed to the Simon’s Rock community. Students who maintain at least a 2.7 GPA, remain in good social standing, and continue to make positive contributions to the life of the school will automatically retain their scholarships for the senior year. Although these scholarships are awarded on a merit basis, they may replace or reduce previous scholarship aid.

Bertie Hawver Kellogg and Florence Gering Cashell Scholarship

Established by Overseer Mary-Margaret Kellogg in memory of her mother-in-law and her mother, this scholarship is awarded annually to a returning student who has demonstrated special interest in Women’s Studies.

Peter I. B. Lavan Scholarship

Established by the Honorable and Mrs. Peter I. B. Lavan, this scholarship is awarded annually to a returning student who has demonstrated excellence or special interest in Social Studies.

Lena Liebowitz Scholarship

Established by overseer Murray Liebowitz and his wife, Patti, in memory of his mother, this two-year scholarship is awarded annually on the basis of need to a student entering the Upper College who is a first- or second-generation American and/or a transfer to Simon’s Rock from Bard High School Early College.

Murray Liebowitz Scholarship

Established in 1989 on the occasion of his 60th birthday by his wife, Patti, his family, and his friends, this two-year scholarship is named in honor of the vice chairman of the Board of Overseers of Simon’s Rock and father of an alumna. It is awarded annually to a returning student with a strong academic record.

Sadie C. Miller Family Scholarship

Established in 1991 in memory of the grandmother of Samuel Adam Miller ’88, this scholarship is awarded annually to a student to support travel, study, and work in the Arts.

Edward J. Misch Scholarship

Established in 1991 as part of the College’s 25th anniversary celebration, this scholarship is named in honor of one of Simon’s Rock’s founding faculty members, in recognition of his 22 years of dedicated service teaching philosophy and history. It is awarded annually to a returning student for outstanding work in the Division of Social Studies.

Morgan Kelley Scholarship

Established in 2005 by alumna Anne Morgan ’66 and her husband Jim Kelley, this scholarship was created in memory of Mary Thorne, a nurse and housemother for Simon’s Rock founding students. Of Mary, Anne writes, “She was a stabilizing force and instrumental in setting the school on the right course in its formative years.” This endowed music scholarship fund will be given annually to a Simon’s Rock student concentrating in music who is pursuing his or her B.A. here. The scholarship is need and merit based.

Martin Naumann Scholarship

Established by David and Peter Jacke in memory of an outstanding faculty member in the natural sciences at Simon’s Rock, this scholarship is awarded annually to a returning student with financial need who has demonstrated excellence or strong interest in the Natural Sciences.

Sarah E. Prusoff Scholarship

Established in 2005 by the Prusoff family and honoring the academic commitments and insights of alumna Sarah Prusoff, this scholarship provides financial support to an A.A. graduate pursuing a B.A. degree at Simon’s Rock. It is awarded every other year to a meritorious student with financial need, and provides support for two years. The Sarah E. Prusoff Scholarship may be applied to Junior year expenses for activities including but not limited to study abroad.

Jane Rodgers Scholarship

Established in 2002 in memory of Jane Rodgers, wife of Dean Bernard Rodgers, by their friends within and beyond the Simon’s Rock community, this scholarship is awarded annually on the basis of need and merit to support an Upper College student concentrating in literary or environmental studies.

Caleb W. Roosevelt Scholarship

Established in memory of a talented writer of the class of ’82, this scholarship is awarded annually to a returning student who has demonstrated exceptional interest and talent in writing poetry or prose.

Ñacuñán Sáez Scholarship

Established by the Faculty Senate and the Board of Overseers in memory of Dr. Ñacuñán Sáez, faculty member in languages and literature at Simon’s Rock from 1984 to 1992, this scholarship is awarded annually to a returning student who exemplifies Ñacuñán Sáez’s qualities of wit, breadth of interest, and delight in learning.

Leslie R. Sander Scholarship

Established in memory of Leslie R. Sander ’87, this scholarship is awarded annually to a candidate for the B.A. degree who has demonstrated academic excellence and has served the Simon’s Rock community in a meaningful way.

Senior Class Scholarship

Established by the classes of B.A. candidates who graduated in 2002, 2003 and 2004, this endowed two-year scholarship is awarded annually to a student returning to earn his or her bachelor’s degree who exemplifies dedication to the Simon’s Rock community in a meaningful way.

Simon’s Rock Grants

Simon’s Rock College of Bard grants are awarded annually to new and returning students on the basis of need and good academic and social standing.

Martin B.C. Simpson Scholarship

Established in 1996 in memory of Martin Simpson by his wife, Patricia, and son, David ’86, this scholarship is awarded annually to a student who exhibits quiet and effective promotion of amity, fellowship, and understanding among all members of the school in the wider community.

Sophomore Class Scholarship

Upon their graduation, the A.A. candidates earning their degrees in May 2004 established this endowed scholarship fund to be awarded to a student seeking support for his or her sophomore year on the basis of need, merit, or a history of positive contributions to the community.

Pamela Sweeney Scholarship

Established in memory of Pamela Sweeney ’89 by her family and friends, this scholarship is awarded annually to a student who is a candidate for the B.A. degree with a focus in the Visual Arts or Women’s Studies.

Dinah Wernick Scholarship Fund

Established and endowed in 2004 in memory of Dinah Wernick ’75 by her family and friends, this scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing study in the Upper College based on merit and need. To recognize Dinah’s dual passions in poetry and environmental science, the scholarship is awarded each year to a B.A. student with a concentration in Literary Studies/Creative Writing, preferably with a strong interest in poetry, or to a student concentrating in Environmental Studies.

Dorothy West Scholarship

Established in 2002 by Veronica Chambers ’87 and Jason Clampet, this scholarship is named in honor of the youngest writer of the Harlem Renaissance, and is awarded annually on the basis of need and merit to a high school student attending Simon’s Rock’s summer Young Writers Workshop.

Baird W. Whitlock Scholarship

Established in honor of the College’s second president, this scholarship is awarded annually to a returning student of high academic standing who is a candidate for the B.A. degree.

Doreen Young Scholarship

Established by Elizabeth and Livingston Hall and Dorothy Morgenstern Thomas in memory of one of the college’s distinguished founding faculty members, this scholarship is awarded annually to a returning student who has demonstrated special interest or talent in the Arts.