One of the most significant giving options at Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary is donating to a scholarship fund that provides resources to specific students. Stakeholders who give contribute to education and leadership development for students with real dreams of making a difference in the world and serving others. You will be able to follow the progress of students who are recipients of your scholarship fund. When you hear from these students, you’ll be fully persuaded that your generous giving is an invaluable part of their educational journey.
Our goal is to provide opportunities—within and outside of the classroom setting—that will help make a student’s dream of a Christian education become a reality. Scholarship awards, which are based on financial need and outstanding academic performance, are an integral part of this goal. Our scholarships are not financial handouts, but a means of rewarding deserving students who demonstrate strong academic and leadership qualities and who take the time to research and apply for these funds. Students who qualify based on need are often the first generation of college graduates in their families. Our hope is that you will join other friends who have made the decision to give the gift of a scholarship.
Featured below are the stories behind the scholarships established by families and/or friends of the individuals for whom they are named.
The David Denyer Scholarship Fund
Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Archaeology Dr. David Denyer began teaching at Alliance Theological Seminary (ATS) in 1977, when it was known as Alliance School of Theology and Missions. He joined founding faculty Dr. Lin Barney and Dr. David Moore as the only full-time professors. Even following his retirement in 2000 and relocation to Arizona, Dr. Denyer wasinvited back to teach modular courses at ATS each January and May.
Downs Memorial Nursing Scholarship
The Downs Memorial Nursing Scholarship is a fund for nursing students that was established by Dr. Carolyn Tonge, a Nyack College/ATS Trustee, in memory of her mother, Cassilda Downs. Mrs. Downs’ passion for the profession came together in a nursing career that lasted for all the working years of her lifetime. She was committed to serving God and serving others.
Craig Ellison Scholarship
The Alliance Graduate School of Counseling (AGSC) began as a concept in 1982 with Dr. Craig Ellison’s vision for a master’s level counseling program that had the ability to train future counselors to address the psychospiritual needs of hurting people in the church, on the mission field, in the city and in the community. Dr. Ellison was known as a highly gifted, active and prolific Christian psychologist. In his professional career, Dr. Ellison wore many hats, among them psychology professor, author, clinician, researcher and radio show host (“Perspectives on Personal Living”).
The Ralph G. Ellenberger Scholarship
The life of Professor Emeritus Ralph Ellenberger modeled what recipients of this scholarship aspire to become. Not only did his life reflect Nyack’s core values (academically excellent, globally engaged, intentionally diverse, personally transforming and socially relevant), but he was passionate about passing on these values to his students.
The son of parents who were pioneer missionaries in French West Africa, he was born in Faranah, Guinea in April 1934, the youngest of four children. He attended the boarding school for missionary children in Mamou, Guinea through the eighth grade and became fluent in Maninka, the local language. He graduated from Hampden DuBose Academy in Zellwood, FL and then enrolled at Nyack Missionary College.
H. Robert Helker Memorial Scholarship Fund
This is an endowed scholarship established by Mr. Helker’s wife, Mrs. Doris Helker. Because of their empathy for those who face financial obstacles to continuing studies at Nyack, this award was established to assist students who would not be able to travel to campus without aid.
The Marion B. Howe Jubilee Scholarship
The Marion B. Howe Jubilee Scholarship was established in 1998 by Nyack alumni and friends in honor of the illustrious music professor, who for 57 years gained the praise and admiration of students and colleagues. This scholarship is awarded to music or music education students. Candidates major in sacred music, intend to serve in church music vocations and show promise in the discipline of music with strong academic performance.
Elizabeth C. Jackson Scholarship Fund
Elizabeth Jackson served on the mission field in Indonesia with The Christian and Missionary Alliance from 1947-1959. Mrs. Jackson’s husband, a pilot during World War II, was one of several missionaries captured and killed in Borneo, Indonesia.
Paul L. Liljestrand School of Music Scholarship
Dr. Paul Liljestrand’s impact on the School of Music is legendary. During his tenure at Nyack, beyond his role as an educator, he was a mentoring and loving presence for students and faculty alike. A graduate of the Julliard School and the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary, he was the conductor of the Nyack College Chorale and presented the group to an international audience, which included performances in Ukraine, East Berlin, Poland, France and Spain. Under his leadership, the Chorale performed at two iconic venues—Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall.
Kathleen L. Mascaro Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Established by family and friends of Kathleen L. Mascaro, this scholarship provides aid to deserving students who are majoring in nursing and who have a strong call to the nursing profession and to ministry.
The 1968 Nyack alumna was a registered nurse for nearly 40 years, 20 of them at Nyack Hospital in Rockland County, NY. She once shared, “I believe the need, challenges and opportunities for nurses have never been greater—the critical shortage of nurses, the expanding life expectancy with increasing health care needs of the elderly, the threat of global diseases and the growing concerns for education and health of families. To be a Christian nurse, educated with a biblical worldview, is a high calling and a privilege. Nyack offers a great opportunity to fulfill this dream on the doorstep of New York City.” Nursing students trained at Nyack are responding to Mrs. Mascaro’s near prophetic words (spoken in 2008) by serving today in the healing profession with the love of Christ.
Rev. Harold M. Rhoads Scholarship Fund
This scholarship honors the memory of 1931 Nyack College alumnus Harold M. Rhoads of Canton, OH. Recipients of this award are students who exhibit a passion for evangelism, particularly to children, as did Rev. Rhoads.
The Dr. Paul and Flora Siu Memorial Scholarship
Known for his passionate teaching, sincere care for his students and his heart for Jesus, Dr. Paul Siu was the Director of the Chinese Bi-Cultural Pastoral Ministries program from 1997–1999 and Professor of Systematic Theology at Alliance Theological Seminary from 1999 until his death in 2010. He and his beloved wife, Flora, pastored Chinese churches in Canada and the U.S., served as Christian and Missionary Alliance missionaries in Taiwan and ministered in a broad range of settings in countries including Indonesia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, China, Suriname, France, Venezuela and Israel.
The Kenneth E. Stamm Memorial Scholarship
Legacy lives on when Nyack College students benefit from aid provided through the Kenneth E. Stamm Scholarship Fund. This endowed scholarship is awarded to deserving business students in their junior year of studies at Nyack’s School of Business and Leadership.
Mr. Stamm’s well-lived life was a case study in success that was proof of the familiar adage: It’s not where you start, but how you finish.
Dr. John F Taylor Memorial
Dr. John F. Taylor, a Nyack College legend, devoted his life to the service of God and others. His commitment to higher education and the development of emerging leaders marks his legacy. Dr. Taylor received a diploma at Nyack Missionary College in 1943, a B.A. in 1945 from Wheaton College and an M.A. in 1947 from Wheaton Graduate School of Theology. His B.D. was earned at Southern Baptist Seminary, and his Ph.D. was completed at New York University in 1966.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a donor and giving to a Nyack scholarship fund, please contact our College Relations Office by emailing collegerelations@nyack.edu or phoning 646.378.6151.
Students interested in applying for endowed scholarships should contact the Office of Student Financial Services. (Awards are made each year during the spring semester for the following academic year.)