Learn about and apply for the following student awards and competitions.
About the Essay Competition
The Benjamin and David Scharps Memorial Award was established in the will of Hannah S. Hirschhorn in honor of her brothers, Benjamin and David Scharps who were attorneys. The gift for the award was accepted by the SUNY Board of Trustees in 1974. The funds have been used to award students who are prelaw or have an interest in legal studies. As per the bequest, the prize is awarded to a student who writes the best legal essay on the subject determined by the Chancellor or designee. First Prize is $1500, Second Prize is $1000.
Eligibility
Competition for the prize is open to SUNY students in their junior year.
Campus Instructions for Essay Submissions
Award applicants will submit a 2,000-word essay that is responsive to the chosen topic. Submission is to be sent in standard essay format. End notes and footnotes are acceptable. No pictures or illustrations are to be included. Preferred essay format is described below.
Essays written by students are submitted to a campus point of contact, who may submit a maximum of three essays for their campus. The Campus president appoints a single faculty or staff coordinator who will endorse each essay submitted indicating the he or she has read the essay and considers it of high quality and representative of the best of that campus. This is done by letter sent to SUNY University Life.
The SUNY Office of University Life in consultation with the Selection Committee will make final recommendation to the Provost for approval. The winner of the competition will be announced in early spring.
Timeline
Announcement to all SUNY Campuses November 15, 2023
Deadline for entries January 26, 2024
Winner(s) selected March 2024
Students who wish to submit an essay must review the Scharps Legal Essay Competition Application Information to receive essay guidelines and topic. Once reviewed, students may submit their essay by selecting the option below. Please note, only the use of a buffalostate.edu email address is permitted for submission.
Those with questions or concerns regarding the submission process are encouraged to call Stacy Erokwu at extension 4704 or email erokwusc@buffalostate.edu.
Scharps Legal Essay Competition Application Information
Members of the campus community are invited to submit nominations for the following student awards:
One undergraduate student will be awarded the President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student, which is the highest honor awarded to a student by Buffalo State University. This award is given to a student who, through use of their natural talents and acquired skills, has demonstrated a commitment toward meeting the goals of higher education as set forth in the university’s mission statement. The recipients will deliver the student address at Commencement. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 is required for consideration for this award.
One graduate student will be awarded the President’s Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student, which is the highest honor awarded to a student by Buffalo State University. This award is given to a student who, through use of their natural talents and acquired skills, has demonstrated a commitment toward meeting the goals of higher education as set forth in the university’s mission statement. The recipients will deliver the student address at Commencement. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 is required for consideration for this award.
The Chancellor’s Award is the highest honor bestowed by SUNY upon a student with special achievement in at least THREE of the following areas: Academic Excellence, Leadership, Campus Involvement, Community Service, or the Arts. Examples of achievements and accomplishments to consider may include, but are not limited to, athletics, advocacy, military service, student government, teaching and service positions, involvement in clubs and organizations, volunteer work, and research experience. These students may have already received recognition from campus, local, state, national, or international organizations and we would like you to include that information in the nomination process.
Nominations are being sought for both awards. Students must be nominated by a faculty or staff member at Buffalo State University. Candidates must have demonstrated the qualities recognized by each award. Selection criteria are similar for each award; however, to be considered for the President’s Medal, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 is required. A student may be nominated for either or both awards.
Academic Excellence: Documented via grade point average, honors received, rank in class, research, and other scholarly projects.
Arts: Accomplishments and contributions in your particular discipline, If you are a performer, artist, craftsperson, or similar.
Citizenship: As measured by community service, the quality of extracurricular activities, and/or involvement in professional organizations.
Campus Involvement: As measured by significant accomplishments, contributions, or experiences in campus involvement while a student at Buffalo State.
Athletics: for the nominee who is an athlete, coach, etc., describe accomplishments in the particular sport(s).
Leadership/Creativity: Documented local, state, national, or international recognition for excellence (e.g., recipient of major national scholarships or athletic awards, or recognition by national and international associations and honor societies).
Career Achievement (including career preparation): significant accomplishments or experiences as a pre-professional, professional, or in career achievement while a student at Buffalo State. This can include internships, co-ops, accomplishments in student chapters of professional organizations, etc.
Military Service: Awards, decorations, or special recognitions
For graduate students: Documented by activities related to the discipline of graduate degree program or other university service leadership in a professional organization, or community outreach activities related to the field of study.
Nominations and supporting documentation can be submitted electronically by email to Stacy Erokwu at erokwusc@buffalostate.edu, or dropped off to Cleveland Hall 513 by 4:00 p.m. Monday, December 18, 2023.
Students should submit their portfolio in a single PDF or a hard copy in a binder and be sure to also email the 3 required Word documents alongside the portfolio (Information Form, Personal Statement, and Resume and/or curriculum vitae). Please contact Student Affairs with any questions regarding the submission process.
Those with questions or concerns regarding the application process are encouraged to call Stacy Erokwu at extension 4704 or email erokwusc@buffalostate.edu.
*Information will be verified with the Registrar's Office.
Instructions for Student Nominee
