Katherine Liessem Memorial Scholarship
Katherine Liessem joined the staff of Ramapo College in 1972, just three years after the College’s founding. Ms. Liessem worked as secretary to vice president Arthur Jacobs while studying toward a degree in social science. Sadly, in 1982 she died unexpectedly at age 46. Katherine Liessem touched many on the Ramapo campus: “Her joy in living and her very real enthusiasm for Ramapo and its people — faculty, staff and students — were deep-rooted and tangible” wrote one of her colleagues at the time.
The entire College community sought to join Mrs. Liessem’s husband, Robert, and their children to launch a scholarship fund in her memory and this endowed scholarship was created. Faculty members, students and staff, together with friends, family, neighbors and business associates contributed to the fund. To best honor his wife, Mr. Liessem determined that the Liessem Scholarship be awarded to a mature Ramapo senior with an excellent academic record, financial need and a strong interest in the field of psychology and human services. The first awards were presented in 1983. “Katherine crossed many paths here at Ramapo College,” wrote then-president George Potter, “and touched many people with her generous spirit."