About the Van Duzer Scholarship Fund for 2012

A brief history
In 1987, members of the Diocesan Youth Commission decided to form a scholarship fund to assist young people entering post-secondary education. The scholarship was named for the Right Reverend Albert W. Van Duzer, eighth bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey.

For more than fifty years, Bishop Van Duzer was an advocate for youth in the Diocese of New Jersey. He served as Youth Director from 1949 to 1954 and was a member of the Board of Youth Consultative Service from 1953 to 1963. Bishop Van Duzer was one of the founding members of the Medford Youth Camp (now the Senior High Event) and shared his vision of a full-time youth director for the diocese.

The first scholarship was awarded in 1989 at the Spring Senior High Youth Conference. Since then, more than 70 scholarships have been awarded to youth of the Diocese. Some of the recipients have continued in the tradition of Bishop Van Duzer and work with young people in the diocese.

The Van Duzer Scholarship fund has continued to grow over the years through donations from the Diocesan Youth Commission, from committees of the diocese, from congregations, and from individuals. Bishop Van Duzer's family has identified the scholarship fund as a desired recipient of gifts in his memory.

Purpose and criteria for awards
The purpose of the Bishop Van Duzer scholarship fund is to assist high-school seniors preparing to enter their first year of accredited post-secondary education.

Please be aware that certain criteria will be considered in the awarding of scholarship funds: service to the local and wider church, community service, academic achievement, and financial need.

Application process
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship from the fund, you can download all the necessary forms (in PDF) here:

1. Cover memo
2. Application form
3. Student's essay
4. Student's activities form
5. Letter of recommendation from the Rector/Vicar or Youth Leader
6. Letter of reference from the student's guidance counselor
7. A completed financial aid form (can be obtained from a high-school guidance department)

Your application and additional information must be postmarked no later than MARCH 1, 2012. You are responsible for ensuring that all items are sent in by the deadline.

Mail your application and supporting forms to:

The Revd Canon Debi Clarke, Deacon
Director of Youth Ministry
Diocese of New Jersey
808 West State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08618

For more information
Contact Canon Debi Clark, Director of Youth Ministry: dclarke@newjersey.anglican.org or 609 394-5281, ext. 35.