Community College of Philadelphia
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Scholarships and Awards for Students Committed to Volunteer or Community Service

Jane S. Abrahams Award for Excellence
Jane S. Abrahams, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, was a civic leader who truly values the rewards of education. She was co-founder of the Citizens Committee on Public Education in Philadelphia and served on the Pennsylvania Board of Welfare and the Pennsylvania Board of Education. For many years, Ms. Abrahams worked diligently as a member of the College’s Board of Trustees. She served as trustee emeritus until her death in 2005. The Leon C. Sunstein Foundation established this award in her honor.

The Jane S. Abrahams Award for Excellence provides one $1,000 scholarship annually to an academically outstanding graduating student receiving an associate’s degree.

    Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicant must have a minimum grade point average of 3.8.
  • Applicant must have completed or will complete the requirements for an associate’s degree by the end of summer I 2010.
  • Applicant must possess the qualities of leadership, initiative and character.
  • Applicant must have performed community service at the College or in the community.
  • Applicant must have demonstrated success in the face of adversity while obtaining career and personal goals.

Selection of the award recipient is competitive. Applications are distributed in December. The deadline for submitting an application is in March. Awards are presented at the College’s Academic Awards Ceremony. For more information, contact Patti Conroy at pconroy@ccp.edu or 215-751-8214.

Jane S. Abrahams Community Service Award
The Jane S. Abrahams Community Service Award provides annual awards of $500 each to members of the College community who have performed outstanding volunteer service outside the College during the preceding year, excluding partisan political activity or religious service. Nonreligious activities that take place in a religious setting will be considered. For purposes of this award, community service is defined as volunteer service, ideally with a nonprofit or community-based organization, which is performed to improve the quality of life for individuals through activities that address the needs of the individuals served. The Leon C. Sunstein Foundation established this award in honor of Jane S. Abrahams.

    Eligibility Criteria
  • Students must have completed a minimum of 15 credits and must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25. Faculty and staff must have been employed by the College for 18 months or more.
  • Applicant must fall into one of the following categories:
  • full-time or part-time student;
  • faculty member;
  • classified/confidential employee; or
  • administrator.
  • Applicant must demonstrate that he/she has served the community in ways not directly related to employment responsibilities or academic requirements.
  • Applications and nominations should be typed and include:
  • List and description of community service activities and office held;
  • Dates of each activity and/or office; and
  • Number of people (directly or indirectly) served in each activity.
  • Applicant must include three references with the application.

Applications are distributed in December. The deadline for submitting an application is in March. Awards are presented at the College’s Academic Awards Ceremony in May. For more information, contact Patti Conroy at pconroy@ccp.edu or 215-751-8214.

Patricia B. Dixon Scholarship*
Established by her daughter, Dawn Dixon Carr, the Patricia B. Dixon Scholarship provides financial support to a student who is a graduate of a Philadelphia high school and attending Community College of Philadelphia in pursuit of an associate’s degree. This scholarship will provide a book scholarship, with a maximum amount of $500, to a student who believes in giving back to his/her community and in helping others selflessly. Actual receipt of the scholarship is contingent upon the student’s enrollment status and grade point average.

    Eligibility Criteria
  • • Applicant must be a graduate of a Philadelphia high school.
  • • Applicant must fall into one of the following categories:
  • • Graduating high school senior who will attend Community College of Philadelphia in fall 2010 or
  • • Current Community College of Philadelphia student who has completed 24 or less credits at the College by the application deadline.
  • • Applicant must be an upstanding member of his/her community and exemplify the spirit of volunteerism by performing charitable/volunteer work.
  • • Applicant must enroll or be enrolled in one of the College’s associate’s degree programs.
  • • Applicant must be pursuing an associate’s degree in a field where he/she will educate or assist in the social needs of underserved and impoverished communities, or will serve, protect or offer assistance to members of the public.
  • • Applicant can enroll on a part-time or full-time basis but must enroll in a minimum of six credit hours per semester if part time and a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester if full time.
  • • If current student, applicant must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
  • • Applicant must submit an essay with his/her application.
  • • Applicant must submit one letter of recommendation from someone, other than a relative, who has knowledge of his or her study habits, work ethics, volunteer activities and standing in the community.

Applications are distributed in March. The deadline is in May, and the recipient is selected in June. For more information, contact Patti Conroy at pconroy@ccp.edu or 215-751-8214.

Florence Fishman Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Service by a Tutor
The Florence Fishman Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Service by a Tutor was established to honor the memory of Florence Fishman, who founded the College’s Learning Lab in 1973. The award commemorates Florence’s concern for and interest in students. Each year, faculty nominate students who work as tutors in the Learning Lab and exemplify Florence Fishman’s commitment to helping others. Recipients are recognized at the Academic Awards Ceremony with a citation and cash award. Cash awards are made possible by generous contributions from faculty and staff who share Florence’s commitment to students. For more information, contact Patti Conroy at pconroy@ccp.edu or 215-751-8214.

Thomas W. Langfitt, Jr. Memorial Award for Volunteer Community Service
The Thomas W. Langfitt, Jr. Memorial Award for Volunteer Community Service was established to recognize one student annually who demonstrates the ability to achieve in academic and community endeavors and who has overcome barriers on the way to success. This award will provide a $1,000 scholarship award to assist one student in pursuing his/her educational or career goals.

    Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicant must be registered at the College prior to applying for this scholarship.
  • Applicant must be registered for a minimum of six credits during each semester.
  • Applicant must be graduating with an associate’s degree in May 2010 with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
  • Applicant must be involved in community endeavors in a volunteer capacity.
  • Applicant must submit a two-page essay with his/her application.
  • Applicant must submit two letters of recommendation. The applicant’s supervisor at the organization at which the applicant has volunteered recently must write the first letter of recommendation. A Community College of Philadelphia faculty member must write the second letter of recommendation.
  • Finalists must participate in an interview with the selection committee.

Applications are distributed in January. The deadline for submitting an application is in April. Awards are announced in May/June. For more information, contact Patti Conroy at pconroy@ccp.edu or 215-751-8214.

Library Scholarship for Student Workers
The Library Scholarship for Student Workers was established to recognize and reward student workers for their service to the College’s Library and to support their pursuit of educational goals. Funded by the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation, the Library Scholarship provides the recipient with a one-time cash award of up to $500.

    Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicant must be registered at the College prior to applying for this scholarship.
  • Applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 as of January 1, 2010.
  • Applicant must be registered for a minimum of six credits during each semester he/she has been enrolled at the College and have completed a minimum of 12 credits at the College.
  • Applicant must have completed a minimum of two semesters working in the College’s Library.
  • Applicant must currently work a minimum of eight hours per week in the Library.


    • Please note: An asterisk * indicates scholarships and awards which are open to high school students.