Sonnenfeld scholarship recipients recognized
Marion Sonnenfeld Award Scholarships, which recognize outstanding female students who exemplify leadership, hard work and a good sense of community, were presented to undergraduates Courtney Schmidt and April Lorenzi.
The Council for Women’s Concerns (CWC) awarded the 2016-2017 scholarships at its annual ceremony held recently in the William’s Center Horizon Room.
Ms. Schmidt is a senior with a major in Childhood Inclusive Education with a Middle School Extension in Mathematics carrying a cumulative 3.68 G.P.A. Schmidt is the recipient of Ann James Manly Scholarship and the New York State Regents Scholarship. She currently is an active member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, Golden Key International Honour Society, Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society in education and was nominated for the Leadership Development Program. She worked as a camp counselor from 2013 to 2015 at Orchard Park (N.Y.) Recreation for 4 to 10-year-olds and has been a tutor for grades four and seven. Her vast volunteer experience ranges from working with students with mental and physical disabilities through the Challenger Baseball League, Fall Sweep, the President’s Welcome Back Picnic, Children’s Fest, Relay for Life, and Slush Rush, to name a few. Schmidt has held been president of the Teacher Education Club since Fall 2015, secretary for Friends Across Borders and has been a student representative for the Strategic Enrollment Management Committee. She also had the opportunity to be part of the Belize Service Learning traveling to Central America in 2015 and 2016.
Ms. Lorenzi is a sophomore with a dual major in Psychology and Dance. She is currently carrying a cumulative GPA of 4.00, is on the Dean’s List and is the recipient of the Fredonia Promise Scholarship. She was the past recipient of Claire Jackman Scholarship and has received assorted dance competition awards. Lorenzi currently is in the Leadership Development Program, has held the title of student president for the Long Island High School for the Arts in 2014 and 2015, and has been involved in the Methodist district-wide and state-wide youth leadership committee. She works as a night desk attendant, has been a dance counselor at Camp W. Summer Camp in Melville, N.Y., and has worked as an assistant dance teacher for 2 to 7-year-olds. Lorenzi’s involvement and community service includes Fredonia’s Alternate Break Program, becoming a wish granter volunteer for Make-A-Wish Foundation, a teacher volunteer for Vacation Bible School and a camp counselor for Quinipet Methodist Camp and Community Nursery School Summer Camp. She is currently a member of the Dance Ensemble and member of the Psychology Club at Fredonia.
Dr. Sonnenfeld taught German as a member of the Fredonia faculty for 25 years. She was honored as a SUNY Distinguished Professor and became the first female Dean of Arts and Humanities at Fredonia. Dr. Sonnenfeld carried the virtues of her parents of loving life, being a faithful and loyal friend, having an outstanding work ethic and taking pride in her work. The scholarship is established through the Fredonia College Foundation. The CWC will begin accepting scholarship applications from students for the 2017-2018 academic year in the Spring 2017 semester. Female students with at least sophomore standing and with at least one full academic year remaining before graduation may apply.
The Council for Women’s Concerns seeks to help ensure a productive educational and work environment for faculty and staff at Fredonia, particularly in areas related to women's concerns. It focuses on general issues of campus climate and programs as they affect faculty and staff, and on policies and procedures which affect women on campus. Functioning as an advisory group, the CWC acts as a liaison between Fredonia employees and campus administration on matters of university policy and procedure related to women’s concerns.
