The Buffalo Branch of AAUW administers both interest free loan and grant funds, providing additional financial support to college students in the Western New York area in the form of specialized loans grants or scholarships. These funds are obtained from proceeds from our Annual Book Sale and generous donors. The funds include several named awards. Applicants, women or men, must demonstrate superior academic achievement, have potential for achieving their academic and career goals, and show financial need.
Please also note that Buffalo AAUW board members are ineligilble for any of our scholarships, grants and loans. Children of board members are eligible for the various awards, but the parent must abstain from any discussion/voting on such an application.
AAUW Regular Buffalo Branch Scholarship, Loan and Grants Program at a glance:
Olga Lindberg awards for 2011:
Melissa Brown received the $10,000 AAUW Olga Lindberhg scholarship award. She is a graduate student in the MSW program at the University at Buffalo where she has completed her first year of study. Melissa resides in Williamsville NY.
Felicia Cao received the 2011 $5,000 AAUW Olga Lindberg Scholarship Award. She is in her first year in the MD/PHD program at Baylor College of Medicine. Felicia resides in East Amherst NY.
Olga Lindberg awards for 2010:
1st Place Award (at $10,000): Jennifer Herman (left picture), currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University at Buffalo. Ms. Herman is also a graduate of Hiram College and American University, with high academic achievement. Jennifer’s goal is to “improve the quality of teaching.” Having traveled in several underdeveloped countries to study cultural influences, Ms. Hermann has used those experiences and her studies to better inform the teaching experience, presenting at a number of conferences nationwide. She works full-time and studies on a full-time basis. Her references noted her dedication and described her as “ambitious, compassionate, highly effective,” noting that she has already influenced the field of higher education and that she is expected to contribute even more upon receiving her degree.
2nd Place Award (at $5,000): Bridget Obzud (picture on right), who expects to graduate as from the University of Buffalo, as M.D. in 2013. Ms. Obzud displayed high academic achievement at Syracuse University, where she majored in Psychology. Her goal is to become a pediatrician. In addition to her academic studies, she has won awards for her research, including a project “The Relationship between Anxiety and Emotional Security in Children with Asthma.” As part of her community activities, Ms. Obzud organized a “gluten-free pizza party” to help adolescents who have diabetes and celiac disease. Her references spoke of her “strength of spirit;” references indicated that she possesses the duality of her academic success combined with empathy for patients.
Jacquie Walker scholarship for 2011: Meagan Allers, a junior at SUNY Fredonia, is the winner of the 2011 AAUW Buffalo Branch Jacquie Walker Scholarship, presented at the Pot Luck on September 19, 2011. Requirements for the scholarship are a high grade point average and a high degree of Community Service. Meagan has fulfilled both requirements. Since she was a young girl, Meagan has been involved in community efforts. She has received numerous awards both in high school and in college for her Community Service. Her most outstanding Public Service Committment has been as President of Fredonia for St. Jude. During her 2 year term, the group has raised over $25,000 for St. Jude's Hospital. She has been in charge of numerous fund raisers for St. Jude's and was able to visit the hospital last year as the college's representative to see where the money is going.
Jacquie Walker scholarship for 2010
University of Pennsylvania student Alison Marcus has been named the AAUW Buffalo Branch Jacquie
Walker Scholarship recipient for 2010.
The Buffalo native is a senior majoring in Urban
Studies with a focus on Urban Education. Alison’s
interest in Urban Studies began when she arrived
at Penn and started working in West Philadelphia’s
schools, further narrowing her focus on how
race, poverty and urban ducation intersect. After graduation, Alison plans to teach for Teach
America and has a long-term goal to be an administrator
in an urban elementary school.
This was the second year that AAW awarded
the Jacquie Walker Scholarship. The award is
funded by proceeds from the Book Store and is
given to one local student who exhibits not only
strong academic credentials but also a passion for
community service that is aligned with the values of
AAUW. Alison has maintained a 3.7 GPA throughout
her undergraduate career and has come to love
and appreciate her work in Philadelphia’s schools.
Jacquie Walker scholarship for 2009
Megan McNally, a senior at Barnard College in New York City, winner of the Jacquie Walker Scholarship, was among the Branch’s many scholarship winners recognized at the annual Potluck Dinner on Sept. 14.
The Book Sale Executive Committee selected Megan from among 45 applicants for the one-time award that honors the WIVB-TV anchorwoman who has served as honorary chair of three AAUW Scholarship Book Sales and whose tenure in Buffalo has included a distinguished professional career and remarkable public service. Invited to participate in the selection process, Walker reviewed applications of the 12 finalists selected by the committee and came to the same conclusion as the committee. All agreed that Megan’s academic record and public service achievements are superior; a conclusion not easily reached as the competition attracted a stellar group of students.
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