Class of 1981 Scholar - A 30-year Tradition

 

Every four years the Scholarship Committee works with Admissions and the class officers and identifies a new undergraduate who will receive a 4-year scholarship.  We support this Princeton student through their time at the university, and we aim to send the Class periodic updates.  This year we name our eighth (!) Class Scholar. 

 

Today, over 69% of all Princeton undergraduates are receiving some form of financial aid. According to the Office of Stewardship, changes in Princeton‘s financial aid policies, including replacing student loans with outright grants, mean that Princeton's financial aid practices are among the most generous in the nation. Increased scholarship funding is more important than ever to support these changes, which are drawing more students with greater need to Princeton. 

 

Supporting these exceptional students is possible because of generous support from classmates.  Hundreds of classmates have contributed to the Class of 1981 Scholarship Fund over more than three decades.  Their generosity has enabled the work to date and guaranteed the program into the future.  Please consider making a gift to the Class of 1981 Scholarship Fund when you pay your dues -- or any time of year! If you would like to make a donation or learn more about the Scholarship Fund, please contact Florence Hutner ’81 or Nancy Sidamon-Eristoff ’81.  Thanks to all of you who give so generously to the Class of 1981 Scholarship Fund each year.

 

History of the Scholarship Fund

 

The Class of 1981 Scholarship Fund was established in 1993 by an enthusiastic team of Classmates led by then Class President Nancy Sidamon-Eristoff. The goal of the initial campaign was to raise $100,000 to create a Class of 1981 Scholarship Fund to provide financial support to outstanding Princeton undergraduates on aid. Once the $100,000 goal was met, generous classmates continued to contribute to the Scholarship Fund, increasing the value of the scholarships.  By the 20th Reunion the Class was providing $5000 in scholarships each year.   During our 25th Reunion year, the Class Officers elected to transfer the $100,000 Class Scholarship Fund to Princeton University's Endowment Fund.   Since then, the University has managed the assets.  A portion of the interest income is awarded directly to a Class of 1981 Scholarship recipient each year.  As we approach our 45^th the class is providing approximately $30,000 (!) each year.

 

Since 1993, the Class of 1981 has provided scholarships to seventeen outstanding young people. We have named eight Class Scholars, offering them financial support as well as professional guidance. We also provided scholarship grants to nine students in the Princeton University Preparatory Program, an intensive program in which local professors have helped prepare for college promising high school students from traditionally underrepresented groups.

 

Our previous Class Scholars were Jessica Hulsey Nickel ’98, Derwood Arvis Dawson ’02, J’Nese Williams ’07, Jorge Alcantar ’11, Spencer Haldeman ’16, Drey Tengan ’20, Zoey Nell ’25 and now Madi Judd '29. They came to Princeton from every part of the United States, from Florida to Hawaii, and they majored in diverse areas including English, History, French and Italian, and Operations Research/Financial Engineering.

 

Best wishes to our most recent Class of 1981 Scholar!

 

Our eighth Class of 1981 Scholar is Madi Judd '29. Madi is from Irvine, CA and involved in Princeton's club archery team.  Still a freshman, Madi is considering a Classics major.  We look forward to supporting Madi during her journey through Princeton.  

 

Past Recipients, Class of 1981 Scholarship

Jessica Hulsey ’98 • English

Derward Arvis Dawson ’02 • English

J’Nese Williams ’07 • History

Jorge Alcantar '11 • French and Italian

Spencer Haldeman '15 • Engineering

Drey Tengan ‘20 • Engineering

Zoey Nell ‘25 • English

Mady Judd ’29 - TBD

 

Past Recipients, Class of 1981 PUPP Scholarship

Karl Micka-Foos ‘08

Jamie Sparano ’08

Michelle Chen ‘09

Cynthia Michalak ‘09

Andrea Trubanova '10.

Nicholas Antoine '11

Vance Stephens '11

Armando Asuncion-Cruz '12

Allan Van Morter '12