George Levinson Scholarship

The first scholarship we created is the Professor George Levinson Leadership Scholarship. Professor Levinson served as the UCE Vice-President of Contract Management and Grievances. As an officer of the union his role was to represent members in their most difficult and challenging times as an FIT employee.

George was a very intelligent man. He commuted to FIT daily by bus from Roosevelt, New Jersey . On the way he would read the paper and work on the NY Times crossword puzzle, and, if he did not complete it he would do so over breakfast in the employee cafeteria before he went off to teach his first morning class. He would do the puzzle so fast, that as he read the clue he would look like he was writing a note - glancing at the clues and writing the answers in ink.

Professor Levinson was also a leader in his home community of Roosevelt, New Jersey and here at FIT he actively served as an elected officer, as union delegate at conventions, as a lead negotiator for the UCE and on a variety of Faculty committees.

We named the first UCE scholarship after George Levinson. The criteria became a template for all awards that followed. Criteria include:

A minimum GPA of 3.25;

• Graduating from a two-year AAS program as a full-time student;
• Demonstrated leadership on and/or off campus during the 2 years as an FIT AAS student;
• Accepted into an Upper Division program for the following fall semester class;
• Pass an interview of the UCE Scholarship committee.
• One award is named after Professor Levinson.

The award is announced a few weeks before commencement.

This award is disbursed after the start of classes in the fall semester.

The winner must document registration at FIT as a full-time upper division Student.

Joseph Garofalo Scholarship

Professor Joseph Garofalo served as the UCE Treasurer. As an elected officer he represented members’ financial interests in union matters. Joe served as a board member of the Education Affiliates Federal Credit Union.

Joe was an activist in union matters and served on the first negotiating team for UCE. He was repeatedly elected as a union delegate for the New York State United Teacher, AFT & AFL-CIO conventions, as a negotiator for the UCE, and has served on many FIT Faculty committees.

Joe was also instrumental in starting a student club in the department of Textile Development & Marketing.

Criteria for the Joseph Garofalo Leadership Scholarship are:

• Awarded to a B&T major;
• A minimum GPA of 3.25;
• Graduating from a two-year AAS program as a full-time student;
• Demonstrated leadership on and/or off campus during the last 2 years;
• Accepted into an Upper Division program fall semester class;
• Pass an interview of the UCE Scholarship committee.

A maximum of one annual award may be presented.
The award is announced before commencement.
The award is disbursed after the start of classes in the following fall semester.

Judith Parkas Scholarship

Professor Judith Parkas served as the UCE Executive Vice-President. As an officer she represented members interests to the administration as well as to our state and national affiliates.

Judith is an active leader in her home community in Manhattan, New York. She actively served FIT as an elected representative, as union delegate at conventions, as a negotiator for the UCE, as a faculty representative to community colleges throughout the state of New York and as an elected leader of the FIT Faculty.

We named the second UCE scholarship after Judith Parkas. The criteria includes participation in sports or FIT team activities and/or high GPA in Liberal Arts, as well as:

• A minimum GPA of 3.25;
• Graduating from a two-year AAS program as a full-time student;
• Demonstrated leadership on and/or off campus during the last 2 years;
• Accepted into an Upper Division program fall semester class;
• Pass an interview of the UCE Scholarship committee.

A maximum of one annual award may be presented.
The award is announced before commencement.
The award is disbursed after the start of classes in the following fall semester.

Louis Stollar Scholarship

Professor Louis Stollar served as the UCE President. As an elected officer he represented members' interests to the administration in all matters as well as to our state, national and international affiliates.

Lou was an active leader in the union movement in the state of New York. He actively served as an elected union delegate at conventions, lobbied for higher education issues on the state and federal level, as chief negotiator for the UCE, and has served as an FIT Faculty elected leader.

We named the third UCE scholarship after Louis Stollar. The criteria mandates a 3.0 minimum GPA in Liberal Arts, as well as:

• A minimum GPA of 3.25:
• Graduating from a two-year AAS program as a full-time student;
• Demonstrated leadership on and/or off campus during the last 2 years;
• Accepted into an Upper Division program fall semester class;
• Pass an interview of the UCE Scholarship committee.

A maximum of one annual award may be presented.
The award is announced before commencement.
The award is disbursed after the start of classes in the following fall semester.

The UCE Leadership Scholarship

Criteria include:

• A minimum GPA of 3.25;
• Graduating from a two-year AAS program as a full-time student;
• Demonstrated leadership on and/or off campus during the 2 years as an FIT AAS student;
• Accepted into an Upper Division program for the following fall semester class;
• Pass an interview of the UCE Scholarship committee.

The award is announced a before commencement.
This award is disbursed after the start of classes in the fall semester.
The winner must document registration at FIT as a full-time upper division student.