The Strelzyn-Witt A-OK Acts of Kindness Scholarship will provide a substantial scholarship to one undergraduate student each year who embodies and demonstrates a combination of fine character and making a difference in the lives of others through their kindness, compassion and caring acts. The A-OK Acts of Kindness Scholarship recognizes and rewards an undergraduate student who shows acts of kindness, not randomly, but as part of their normal way of living. Examples of acts may include: participating in an ongoing altruistic activity, going above and beyond with a service project on your own, caring for a person or animal in a significant time of need, or donating time or resources to a service or charity.
Criteria
Nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Current full-time Binghamton University undergraduate student; preference will be given to rising sophomore or junior students
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
- In good conduct standing
Nomination Process
To be considered for this scholarship, students may nominate themselves or be nominated by a fellow student, faculty or staff member of Binghamton University. Selection will be based on an essay and at least one supporting statement describing the student's act of kindness and the positive impact on the community. The act of kindness does not need to have occurred on campus however, it must have occurred while the nominee was attending Binghamton University.
1. Nominee Statement
Nominees must submit a statement (600 words or less) describing:
- Your personal philosophy of life, or guiding principles, which encompass the virtue of kindness and how it has helped in your personal growth and/or impacted others.
- Choose one specific act of kindness to share with the committee. Describe the act, the inspiration behind your efforts and the impact it had on the community.
- How you will continue to implement your personal philosophy or guiding principles as you strive toward your future life goals.
2. Supporting Statement
Nomination packets must also include at least one supporting statement. The statement(s) does not need to come from an individual affiliated with Binghamton University but should come from someone that is familiar with the student and the specific act of kindness being submitted.
Supporting statements should discuss the following (200 words or less per bullet):
- For how long and in what capacity do you know the nominee?
- Highlight the nominee's compassion, kindness and propensity to help others, including the impact their specific act of kindness has had on the greater community.
- Share any additional information about the nominee that would support their candidacy for this award.
The nomination process will open on Monday, March 11, 2024 and close on Friday, April 12, 2024. Interested applicants can apply by completing the following online application.
Questions can be directed to Cindy Cowden at cowden@binghamton.edu.
