Princeton-funded scholarships awarded to 10 John Jay students

Ten students at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City have been selected as the first recipients of the Justice Scholarship, which was established by Princeton University in February 2002 to honor the memory of the public service heroes of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center who received academic training at John Jay College.

The purpose of the scholarship is to develop undergraduate researchers, practitioners and scholars in the areas of public service and criminal justice. Sixty-seven John Jay College students and alumni were among the firefighters and police officers who lost their lives in the attacks.

Each scholarship winner will enroll in two courses specifically designed to prepare them for an independent research study related to the criminal justice/public service field. Student research will be published in a journal produced by John Jay College.

Winners were selected for their academic achievement and their documented interest in public service. They will receive a $2,000 scholarship that is renewable each academic year. The funds are to be applied to educational expenses and to support undergraduate research. In addition, students who complete independent research during their senior year that is approved by the faculty will be awarded an additional $1,000 toward graduate school.

Five scholarships were awarded to members of the incoming class and another five to currently enrolled students. The recipients were selected by a committee made up of John Jay College faculty members and administrators.

The students are:

  • Tabitha Berry, who has volunteered more than 250 hours with Habitat for Humanity and who hopes to become a lawyer;
  • Semantha Charles, a former teacher from St. Lucia who plans to dedicate herself to protecting crime victims;
  • Carole Eady, a single mother of four who struggled with homelessness in the past and will study to become a social worker;
  • Krista Feuerman, who would like to work as a forensic scientist in a crime laboratory and is interested in researching new techniques in DNA testing;
  • Maureen French, who has been a volunteer for nine organizations, including the Coalition for the Homeless and New York Cares;
  • Shauna-Kay Gooden, who has held several leadership positions on the John Jay College campus and hopes to pursue a career in law and education;
  • Robert Greco, a forensic psychology major who would like to work as an analyst for the FBI or the CIA;
  • Natalia Novoa, a volunteer at St. John's Hospital who hopes to do research on the human anatomy;
  • Max Schlubach, who plans to conduct research on the effects of new scientific discoveries on arrest statistics;

    and

  • Samantha Sheppard, who hopes to become a forensic scientist.
  • The Justice Scholarship is one of several programs that Princeton University created with a $1 million commitment to assist individuals, especially young people, most directly affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and to help support New York City's renewal and recovery from those attacks.

    Contact: Marilyn Marks (609) 258-3601