Anonymous $250,000 Donation Goes to Scholarship Fund for Stockton University Music Students

Stockton University is using a $250,000 donation from an anonymous source to establish a new scholarship fund for students of instrumental music in the University’s School of Arts and Humanities.

“Stockton is extremely grateful for this generous gift on behalf of our instrumental music students,” Stockton University Interim President Harvey Kesselman said. “This will enable many more of them to fulfill their educational dreams. Although these wonderful donors wish to remain out of the limelight, their commitment shows that they share Stockton’s belief in music’s universal role in society.”

The agreement, signed earlier this month by the donors, Kesselman and Richard Dovey Chair of the University Foundation Board of Directors, specifies that $5,000 a year will be awarded to an incoming first-year student with a demonstrated interest in studying instrumental music and developing his or her playing ability with preferred instrument(s).

The student recipient would be eligible to receive $5,000 each year for four years.

In the fourth year of the fund’s existence, it is anticipated that four students each will be receiving a $5,000 award and the total annual disbursement will be $20,000. Awards will continue for as long as funds are available, the agreement states.

Scholarship recipients will be selected through a process developed by the Music faculty with approval by the dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and the provost. Student selection will be coordinated with the dean of Enrollment Management to ensure compliance with financial aid requirements. The selection process will include a provision to ensure that student recipients continue their instrumental music interest in order to continue receiving the scholarship in the years following their initial award.

“Stockton’s Music program offers students immersion in music history and theory as well as world-class instruction by our distinguished faculty,” Dean Lisa Honaker of the School of Arts and Humanities said. “Here students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of vocal and instrumental music ensembles, offering practical application of the material learned in the Music program. Our students are also exposed to numerous professional performances on campus, including the Bay Atlantic Symphony, Stockton’s orchestra in residence, and the Ed Vezinho/Jim Ward Big Band, our jazz orchestra in residence.”

Also present at the signing ceremony were Trustee Ray Ciccone, Philip Ellmore, chief development officer and executive director of the Foundation; Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Susan Davenport, Dean Lisa Honaker of the School of Arts and Humanities, Paul Herron, executive director of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, Christopher DiSanto, associate professor of music and coordinator of instrumental music studies, Beverly Vaughn, professor of music and coordinator of vocal music and jazz studies, Cindy Crager, associate chief development officer, and Jessica Kowal, director of development and special projects.