The APEX Scholarship Fund was created in honor of the innovative program started in the 1970s by Frank Watson and Charles Rathbone. This fund provides scholarship support to students pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education.

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The UVM First Nations’ Scholarship supports UVM students who demonstrate interest in postively impacting communities of Indigenous peoples. Donors may contribute to this fund by noting on their check, online giving form, stock transfers, etc. that the gift should be designated to this scholarship. 

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Greek Life Scholarships were created to demonstrate the positive impact Greek life and alumni who participated in the Greek system can have on the University. Note: Funds are NOT restricted to Greek community members. Recipients must demonstrate financial need be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in education. Undergraduates must have sophomore, junior or senior standing. 

Created by Joan Greening ('74), the Greening Student Teaching Award provides financial awards that allow students to focus on their teaching internships successfully. If you would also like to support student teachers during their internships, please feel free to add your donation to the fund.

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For 50 years, Associate Professor Emeritus Larry Shelton taught courses, advised students, furthered the Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) program, and helped us understand and support human development in a variety of contexts. He gave generously and tirelessly of his time to all of us. His passion for and dedication impacted generations of UVM students and alumni.

Please visit the donation page to honor Larry and his contributions to the HDFS program, the College of Education and Social Services, and the University of Vermont community.

In memory of their daughter Lara, Alex and Bobbi Sobel established a scholarship for Social Work students at the University of Vermont. Since then, many people have expressed their desire to contribute in Lara’s memory, so the Founding Donors and the University have opened the fund to additional contributors. This fund supports Master's of Social Work students in their second year of the program. Please visit the Lara Sobel Memorial Scholarship page to learn more and make a donation.

This fund is used for the College to support research, education, and outreach relating to the impact of poverty and human capability and support student internships, co-curricular activities and partnerships with the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty (SHECP).

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Doctor Russell M. Agne and Susan L. Agne deeply value the importance of a quality education for students of all ages and all grade levels and understand first-hand the unique impact made possible by the College of Education and Social Services at the University of Vermont. 

Recipients of this scholarship must meet the following criteria have financial need, and be pursuing an undergraduate education degree in the College of Education and Social Services. 

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Background and History

Russ received his bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University, a master's degree from Syracuse University, and a PhD from the University of Connecticut. He was a high school science teacher in Connecticut prior to his appointment in the College of Education and Social Services at the University of Vermont. He arrived at UVM in 1969 where he served as a member of the Secondary Education Program faculty for 40 years. Russ was a beloved member of the college whose key scholarly interests included science teaching and curriculum development in grades K-12, educator professional development and licensure policy, graduate program design, environmental education, and research in effective instructional practice.  

In addition to his service as a faculty member, Russ served as the chair of the Department of Professional Education and Curriculum Development (1979–1984); Director of the UVM Science, Mathematics and Computer Technology Project (1984-1999); and Associate Dean of the UVM Graduate College (1990–1995). 

Susan received a bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and a master’s degree from the University of Vermont. She was an elementary school teacher in Connecticut and Vermont. Her classroom was enriched by students from the College of Education and Social Services at UVM who were completing their field work in school settings. In retirement, Susan volunteered at the Janet S. Munt Family Room in Burlington, where healthy, connected communities are built by supporting families and young children. She also volunteered at the University of Vermont Children's Hospital and in a childcare/preschool setting. The state of Vermont, and especially the University of Vermont, will always be a special place for the Agne family. 

The founding donors Elaine and Paul Evers established this scholarship in memory of Zander Ponzo. They want to encourage others to carry on Zander's lifelong dedication to learning and self-improvement, his commitment to athleticism and the environment, and his ability to coach, counsel, and guide others to push past boundaries.

Recipients of this scholarship will meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be enrolled in the University
• Pursuing a graduate degree in the CESS Graduate Counseling Program
• Have financial need

The founding donors will have no role in the final selection of any scholarship recipient.

Zander's Inspirational Story

Zander Ponzo of Burlington, Vermont, passed away unexpectedly on February 4, 2021. Born and raised in New York, he attended Stuyvesant High School and City College of New York. Shortly after receiving his PhD from the University of Wisconsin, he came to Vermont, where he briefly taught at Saint Michael's College before joining the faculty at the University of Vermont, where lasting friendships held a special place in his heart.

Volunteering in multiple local organizations, he was instrumental in envisioning and bringing to fruition the bocce courts at Oakledge Park, and he served as the Bocce Club president for many years.

He was also a sports enthusiast and looked forward every year to UVM's basketball games. Zander's mission was to "...involve myself in activities, events and people that I value, as this will bring fulfilling enjoyment in the moment, and restful contemplation of the past."

He will be remembered for his honesty, integrity and concern for others. He was a kind, gentle man and modeled living well and simply. His dedication to lifelong learning focused on making aging an exciting challenge, believing that by extending our boundaries and accepting our losses, we become more fully alive. 

Zander brought a unique sense of humor and richness to those who knew him. He wanted us to celebrate his death with joy for his life.