Sponsored By
The Northern NJ Chapter
of the Penn State Alumni Association

The Ronald J. Swartz Memorial Scholarship was established by the Northern NJ Alumni Chapter in 2004.  In January – February of 2004, Ron unexpectedly became ill and was hospitalized with a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease.  At all too young an age, he passed away on March 19, 2004.  It was a sad loss for his family, as well for all of us who knew him well.

Ron Swartz was a long-time Board Member of the NNJ Alumni Chapter, serving with distinction in the capacity of both president and vice president for multiple terms.  Ron was respected for his devotion to Penn State, his leadership role in the NNJ Alumni Chapter, and his commitment to community service.

The Swartz Scholarship is awarded each year to an incoming Penn State freshman year student residing in the NNJ Alumni Chapter’s sphere of influence.  This scholarship is administered by the NNJ Alumni Chapter.  Students residing in Northern New Jersey, who have accepted their offer of admission to Penn State, are invited to apply Online.  The criteria considered for the Swartz Scholarship are based upon the qualities that Ron Swartz was best remembered for:   character, leadership and exemplary service.  The scholarship focuses on an applicant’s volunteerism, exemplary service at the high school and in the community, and distinguished accomplishments in extra-curricular activities.

Each year in May, the Scholarship Committee evaluates application resumes received from incoming freshmen year students and selects a worthy recipient(s).  In each of the past three years, the Swartz Scholarship has been shared by two students.  It must be noted that we are “Penn State Proud” of the outstanding achievements of so many of our incoming freshman, which best reflect the overall objectives of the NNJ Alumni Chapter and the mission of the Penn State Alumni Association.

TO APPLY:   Click here to download the Ronald J. Swartz Scholarship Application.

Entries to be submitted via email to: psu_nnj_scholarship@yahoo.com.

Please note that scholarship applicants must be from the following zip codes in order to be eligible:

Northern:
07000-07699
07800-07999
08800-08999