GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP - Professor of Marine Biology Matthew Landau and his wife, Brenda, an adjunct professor in the same field, have taught at Stockton University for more than 30 years and know the educational value of student research.
But they also know the time and cost of doing research can create barriers for many students, who may already be juggling a job along with their coursework.
The Linwood couple recently created the Marine Science Faculty Research Scholarship for Underrepresented Groups to assist a student from a traditionally underrepresented and underserved population in pursuing a research project under the guidance of a Marine Science faculty member. The annual $3,000 award will help fund supplies and travel related to the research.
In establishing this fund, the Landaus hope to play a small role in increasing the diversity of marine science students while also removing some of the financial barriers.
We wanted to do something to promote interest in the earth sciences, but also help the best students do research, Matthew Landau said.
The couple is targeting typically underrepresented students to help promote role models who can inspire others to consider marine science as a career.
In 2019-20, the Stockton University Foundation awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to 672 students. It was the first year the total awarded from the foundation has exceeded $1 million. The funds came from more than 1,600 donors and helped students pay for tuition and fees, but also additional expenses including books, and special projects like the Landaus' new research scholarship.
Typically, students can get funds to help pay for tuition and fees, Matthew Landau said. But there is not much money out there for undergraduate research. We want to help change that, and encourage more of our colleagues and others to do the same.
While foundation scholarships help make college more affordable, specialized scholarship funds, like that of the Landaus, create opportunities for travel, research and study for a larger group of students who might not consider those options because of the cost.
When students learn of these scholarships, it just opens a whole new world of possibilities to them, foundation Executive Director Dan Nugent said. It's exciting and gratifying for us and the donors to see the impact of these awards.
Shania Buster of Galloway Township, a social work and childhood studies major who wants to work as a school social worker or therapist for young adults, said the scholarship reduces her stress about college expenses and allows her to focus on her studies.
I am so appreciative of this blessing, she said.
The 2019-20 year also welcomed almost 500 new donors. For more information on donating to an existing scholarship or establishing a new scholarship, visit the Stockton Foundation web page or call 609 652 4528.
Stockton also offers scholarships to incoming freshmen. More information on those scholarships is on the Stockton Admissions web site, at stockton.edu/admissions/scholarships.
