/College of Arts and Sciences
Africana Studies

Scholarships & Awards

  • AFS Bliss Verdon Memorial Scholarship

    AFS Bliss Verdon Memorial Scholarship

    bliss verdon

    The Bliss Verdon Memorial Scholarship is available annually to one or two outstanding students at Stony Brook University, State University of New York, in recognition of strong academic performance and demonstrated commitment in the area of African issues. The Bliss Verdon Memorial scholarship has been established to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Bliss Verdon, a 1995 graduate of SUNY Stony Brook, who completed her BA in Africana Studies and Anthropology after spending a semester in Accra, Ghana. Ms. Verdon had planned to begin her graduate studies in International Relations with a focus on African issues in the Fall of 1997, but on June 10th of that year she was murdered in Jackson Heights, Queens, by an ex-boyfriend, a New York City police officer.

    ELIGIBILITY
    The Bliss Verdon Memorial Scholarship is open to full-time, upper-division students (junior or senior standing). Candidates must demonstrate an academic focus on and commitment to African issues in their university coursework, as well as a need for financial assistance, and a commitment to helping others. Candidates may be nominated for the scholarship or may apply directly.

    AWARD
    The scholarship carries an annual award of $1,000 for one student or $500 each for two students. The award may be used to supplement costs to pursue study abroad in Africa.

    SELECTION CRITERIA & PROCEDURE
    Commitment to African issues and qualities of academic performance and service to one’s community are important criteria reflected by the life of Bliss Verdon. An applicant should submit:
    a) Completed application form
    b) A 1-2 page essay/ statement of eligibility
    c) A résumé
    d) A transcript
    e) Two (2) letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a faculty
    member at Stony Brook, and one may be from outside the Stony Brook
    community.

    DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS/APPLICATIONS
    Nominations or applications should be received by Monday May 11, 2026

    SELECTION

    1. Candidates will be screened by a selection committee and finalists submitted to theStony Brook Foundation.
    2. Finalists may be asked to appear before the Stony Brook Foundation.
    3. Awards will be announced in the month of May, before the end of the Spring semester. Presentations will be made at the annual Africana Studies Department commencement breakfast.

    Contact the Department of Africana Studies for an application.

     

    Richard B. Moore Scholarship

    RichardBMoore

    The Richard B. Moore Scholarship is awarded annually to one outstanding Stony Brook
    undergraduate student of African heritage. This award recognizes strong academic
    performance and service to the University community. The Richard B. Moore
    Scholarship was established by the Stony Brook Foundation to honor Richard B. Moore
    who, born in Barbados, became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1908. Mr.
    Moore was a highly successful entrepreneur and social reformer in Harlem where he
    lived for more than 60 years.
    ELIGIBILITY
    The Richard B. Moore Scholarship is open to one full-time, upper-division student (junior
    or senior standing) of African American or African heritage. The student must have spent
    one semester or more in residence at Stony Brook, and may be nominated for the
    scholarship or may apply directly.
    AWARD
    The scholarship carries an award of $500.
    SELECTION CRITERIA & PROCEDURE
    The qualities of academic performance and service to one's community are important
    criteria reflected by the contributions of Richard B. Moore. Each applicant must therefore
    present evidence of both strong academic performance and service to the University
    community. In this regard, an applicant should submit:
    a) Completed application form
    b) A 1-2 page essay/ statement of eligibility
    c) A résumé
    d) A transcript
    e) Two (2) letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a faculty member
    at Stony Brook, and one may be from outside the Stony Brook community.
    DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS/APPLICATIONS
    Nominations or applications should be received by Thursday, Thursday, May 7
    th, 2026.
    Applications should be submitted electronically to Zebulon.Miletsky@stonybrook.edu
    with a copy to Ann.Berrios@stonybrook.edu
    SELECTION
    I . Candidates will be screened by a selection committee and finalists submitted to
    the Stony Foundation
    2. Winner of the scholarship is invited to join Africana Studies at the Africana Studies
    Commencement on Friday, May 22nd 2:00PM in room 301 of the Wang Center.