Marcel Biener Scholarship

In 2010 Dr. Alexander Biener created this scholarship in honor of his father, Marcel Biener. Marcel, who passed away in 2012, was a Holocaust survivor by virtue of Jagendorf’s Foundry, a factory that kept thousands of Jews alive. Marcel was fluent in seven languages and was able to parlay his language skills into a career as an engineering professor in Romania and Israel, before moving his family to America.

“The purpose of this scholarship is to further the understanding of survival from genocide,” says Dr. Biener. “It is offered in the hope that talking about the roots of genocide, such as bigotry and lack of education, remembering the terrible instances and celebrating the survivors, regardless of how they survived, will bring us one step further from letting this happen again."

“This scholarship is offered to students who demonstrate interest, understanding, and compassion in these matters or who plan, through community service, or service in the Peace Corps or our armed forces, to help oppressed people everywhere. In giving to others, we hope to demonstrate the strength of the human spirit — to overcome — and that even one life saved can open a whole new universe. In fostering remembrance and study of the past, we hope to strengthen the abilities and resolve of our youth to seek a better future for all.”