Ruth Piwonka Student Scholarship Award
GIVEN: Annually in June
In Memory of Ruth Piwonka (1941-2021)
To honor Ruth Piwonka, beloved Trustee Emeritus of the Board of the Jacob Leisler Institute, who passed away in August 2021, the Institute has established an annual scholarship in Ruth’s name to be given to a student who is accepted at an accredited college or university and has declared, or an intention to declare, a major in history. The scholarship recipient is awarded the amount of $500.
The application is to be submitted by the student’s guidance counselor. This application must be submitted by May 15th, 2026 and a student will be selected by June 15th, 2026.
Ruth Piwonka:
Ruth was a Columbia County, New York, historian. Former executive director of the Columbia County Historical Society, 1976–1983, she co-authored with Roderic Blackburn A Visible Heritage. Columbia County, New York. A History in Art and Architecture (1977)and Remembrance of Patria (1988); she also wrote A Portrait of Livingston Manor (1986), among numerous other works.
Scholarship Award Details and Requirements
Application Submission Date: May 15, 2026
Scholarship Recipient Announcement: June 15, 2026
Scholarship Amount: $500.
Applications are to be submitted via the Institute’s online form.
To be eligible for the scholarship a student must be accepted at an accredited college or university and has declared or intends to declare a major in history.
The scholarship is open to students enrolled at schools in Columbia, Dutchess, and Rensselaer counties.
Application Requirements:
- 250 to 400 word essay describing the student’s interest in history, providing a brief biography of the student’s school or history-related activities
- Letter of recommendation from a social studies instructor or history professor familiar with the student’s academic preparation.
- Proof of acceptance at an accredited college or university.
Acceptance to an accredited college or university, the student’s essay , plus the above-mentioned letter of recommendation will suffice to be considered for the scholarship.
Applications will be reviewed by the Institute’s scholarship committee with the recipient being notified by June 15, 2026.
Click the link below to access the online application form