Essay Competitions

Colleagues, family, former students and friends of Prof. John D. Christesen Raised funds for this award at a fundraising event in 2006. Additional Contributions to this can be made on line at www.abg.org. This competitive essay should describe in approximately 3,000 words, the environment, pedagogy or other atypical conditions under which the writer experienced a most significant teaching event. The essay should describe the process, technique or environment with which a truly exceptional teaching event occurred. Other faculty should be able to emulate the ideations. Members of the business and professional departments at colleges which have chapters of Alpha Beta Gamma are eligible to submit essays. A $300.00 stipend and a framed certificate are awarded to the recipient. The essay will be published in the Honors Journal. In some cases, the recipient might be invited to present the paper at the annual meeting.

An essay competition entitled “The Importance of Teaching Business” was established by colleagues and friends of Cornelia Blackwell whose career in the Registrar’s Office of Westchester Community College demonstrated incredible assistance to students and especially to Alpha Beta Gammans. The essay is judged by the scholarship committee. An award of a $300.00 stipend and a framed certificate will be presented to the finalist. 500-750 word range.

Alpha Beta Gamman David E. Bjorklund, former Vice President of the Delta Chapter died suddenly in an auto accident in March 2006. At 35 years old Dave already achieved an excellent career in finance working with Morgan Stanley. Fellow Alpha Beta Gammans who studied with Dave at Clarkson University established this essay fund. The theme of the essay is “Using Finance for Corporate Growth”: An award of $300.00 stipend and a framed certificate will be presented each year to the finalist selected by the scholarship committee. The Taddeo Family Foundation was a major contributor to this fund. 500-750 word limit.

An essay describing the contribution that emigrants made and continue to make to our democracy is required for this essay competition. The Award was funded by a grant from the Pope Foundation. An award of $300.00 stipend and a framed certificate will be presented to the essay selected by the scholarship committee. The essay should be no more than 750 words.

This essay competition centers on the theme of “The significance of municipal bonds in financing special projects in the USA”. Students will study the financial mechanism of municipal bonds, discover a significant project which benefits society which was funded through municipal bonds and discuss the contribution to society. This essay competition is funded through a donation from MBIA Foundation arranged by Professor Nick Krzmienski, Adjunct Professor of Management at SUNY Westchester Community College. The scholarship committee selects the best essay each year at the Annual Leadership Meeting and awards the winner with a $300.00 stipend and a framed certificate. 500-750 word limit. There is one winner per annum.

When the National Dean's List provided funds for an award, Prof. John Christesen at Westchester Community College immediately wanted to name the new award for Sophia Abeles, a distinguished benefactress of community college education. This competitive essay award words should concentrate on the theme of "Learning". Mrs. Abeles truly believed that it is learning and education which advance society. A $300.00 stipend and framed certificate will be offered to the recipient of the award. The essay should concentrate on how learning has improved and changed one’s life or future. 500-750 word limit.

This competition honors a true supporter of the Eta Delta Chapter who took a very special interest in Alpha Beta Gammans by being their greatest cheerleader and supporter. The mother of adviser Nancy Rocky, Ester Cross-Carter attended chapter meetings and events and was proud of her affiliation with Alpha Beta Gamma. She was the wind beneath the wings of the Eta Delta Chapter. The recipient of this award receives a stipend of $300.00 and a framed certificate. An essay on the topic "Helping Others" is required; the submission must be no more than 500 words.

This award funded by the family and friends of Steve Perri and the National Dean's List is awarded to the writer of an essay describing the Pros and Cons of Being an Entrepreneur. Steve Perri was a Chapter Vice President and President of a Roofing Company which he formed. An unfortunate work-related accident took Steve's life. A stipend of $300.00 and a framed certificate accompanies this award. 500-750 word limit.

Awarded annually to the student who writes the Best Business Plan for a new business. A $300.00 stipend and framed certificate will be offered to the recipient of the award. The Business Plan will be placed on the home page as part of a growing library of business plans, which Alpha Beta Gammans can use. This award honors the memory of member Nathan Ancell, founder of Ethan Allen, the nation’s leading furniture company.

Applicants must submit an essay on the subject "Business and the Environment, Today and in Ten Years." The Scholarship Committee will judge essays and select the recipient. A $300.00 stipend and framed certificate will be awarded to the recipient. The winning essay will be published in the Honors Journal. The Peter J. Gleason Essay Award Form must be submitted with the essay. 500-750 word limit.