The School of Criminal Justice provides the following competitive scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students. Funds from these scholarships are intended to cover the costs of books, tuition, and fellowship funds. Applications are available below. Please print out the application and follow the instructions below for submission. Applications are accepted until the last Friday in February for the following academic year.

Diane M. DiPonio Memorial Scholarship
Provides tuition support to women preparing for a career in law enforcement. Applicants should be of junior or senior status.

Louis A. Radelet Graduate Diversity Scholarship
Provides assistantship and fellowship funding to minority graduate students in criminal justice.

Michael J. Rutherford Endowed Scholarship
Provides tuition support for juniors, seniors and graduate students in criminal justice.

Private & Industrial Security Endowed Scholarship
Provides tuition support for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students with career interests in private and corporate security.

Susan and Robert Trojanowicz Juvenile Justice Endowed Scholarship Fund
Provides tuition support to undergraduate students preparing to enter a career in juvenile justice

Tournament of Friendship Scholarship
Provides support for tuition and textbooks for undergraduate and graduate students in criminal justice. It is designed to promote multicultural diversity and preference is given to Michigan residents.

Walter E. Bothe Memorial Scholarship Fund for Law Enforcement Studies
Provides tuition assistance to graduate or undergraduate students pursuing careers in law enforcement.

Zolton Ferency Endowed Scholarship
Provides tuition and/or assistantship funding to graduate or undergraduate students in criminal justice.

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Complete the application (opens in new window) and submit it with a copy of your college transcript(s), resume and a personal letter commenting on why you chose the criminal justice field and the career you wish to pursue after graduation.

Incoming freshmen must have applied and been accepted by the university and will need to provide a copy of their high school transcripts.

Applicants must also provide a copy of their financial aid award notification to demonstrate financial need.

You must also arrange to have the following letters of reference sent directly to the School of Criminal Justice:

• One letter of recommendation from an instructor or professor familiar with your scholastic endeavors.
• One letter of personal reference from an individual (not a former teacher) who can attest to your character.

The School of Criminal Justice must receive applications for all scholarships by the last Friday in February for the following academic year. A selection committee will recommend recipients to the director of the School of Criminal Justice. The recipient will be notified in writing.

Send documents to:

The School of Criminal Justice Selection Committee
c/o Tim Homberg
Michigan State University
130 Baker Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1118

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The Diane M. DiPonio Memorial Scholarship was established for the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University by Angelo and Margaret DiPonio in memory of their daughter. It supports undergraduate students whose commitment to law enforcement and public service parallel Diane's.

The scholarship is an endowment that provides support and encouragement to students majoring in criminal justice. Awards are made annually. In keeping with the conditions of the scholarship, the following criteria determine the recipients:

• Students are eligible for this award after completing a minimum of two years of study and who are entering into their third year.
• The recipient must possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
• The recipient must possess the capacity, motivation, and initiative to realize educational and professional goals.
• The recipient must have a demonstrable interest in a law enforcement career on the local, state or federal levels.
• To the extent permissible by law, and in memory of DiPonio, the school will afford preference to qualified women when awarding the scholarship.

If satisfactory academic progress and performance are evident after the first year, the scholarship may be renewed for a second year.

Applications for the Diane M. DiPonio Memorial Scholarship must be received by the School of Criminal Justice by the last Friday in February. A selection committee will recommend a recipient to the director of the School of Criminal Justice. The director will notify the recipient in writing.

*Applications accepted until the last Friday in February for the following academic year*

Instructions for Applying:

Complete the application below and submit with a copy of your college transcript(s), resume and a personal letter explaining why you chose the criminal justice field and the career you wish to pursue after graduation.

YOU MUST ALSO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING LETTERS OF REFERENCE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE SCHOOL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE:

1. One letter of recommendation from an instructor or professor familiar with your scholastic endeavors.
2. One letter of personal reference from an individual (not a former teacher) who can attest to your character.

Send documents to:

The School of Criminal Justice
Selection Committee
c/o Tim Homberg
Michigan State University
130 Baker Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1118

In Memoriam

Diane M. DiPonio, an outstanding detective with the Ann Arbor, Michigan, Police Department died on August 23, 1985. She fell victim to a rare respiratory disease, against which she fought valiantly while tending to her professional responsibilities. For seven years after her initial diagnosis in 1978, she reported to work and tackled the most difficult investigations facing her department.

Born in Detroit and raised in Salem Township, Michigan, DiPonio was a champion horse trainer and exhibitor in her youth. As a member of the Washtenaw County 4-H Program, she participated in shows throughout the state and nation. She belonged to the American Quarter Horse and Paint Horse associations and won frequent championships in the western riding, pleasure and halter classes.

DiPonio attended MSU where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1967. She subsequently pursued a master's in guidance and counseling at Eastern Michigan University. After completing school, she taught home economics in Livonia. Although satisfied with teaching, she sought more extensive public contact; she longed to serve people in general, especially the victimized and exploited.

In 1970, DiPonio applied for and won a position with the Ann Arbor Police Department. She excelled, quickly becoming responsible for investigating major crimes like homicide, fraud and rape.

DiPonio, was a vital person who inspired her colleagues, served her constituency with devotion and conducted herself with dignity. She was giving, unselfish, professional and humane. She is greatly missed by all those who knew her and whose lives she touched.

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The Louis A. Radelet Graduate Diversity Scholarship Fund was established in honor of the late Professor Louis Radelet and his many contributions to Michigan State University's School of Criminal Justice.

The purpose of this scholarship is to help attract and retain talented graduate students who will enhance program diversity. Those who worked with Radelet know personally of his deep commitment to assuring the talents and abilities of minorities develop to their fullest.

This endowment provides financial support on an annual basis to graduate students of the College of Social Science, School of Criminal Justice. It can be awarded to one or more qualified recipients. In keeping with the conditions of the scholarship, the school employs the following criteria when selecting a recipient:

• Enrollment as a graduate student in the College of Social Science, School of Criminal Justice, at the time the award is activated.
• Good academic standing as defined by the university.
• Financial need may be considered.
• The recipient must possess the capacity, motivation and initiative to realize educational and professional goals

*Applications accepted until the last Friday in February for the following academic year*

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The Michael J. Rutherford Endowed Scholarship was established by Jack D. and Marilyn Rutherford for Michigan State University's School of Criminal Justice in honor of the memory, achievements and vitality of their beloved son.

The scholarship is enduring and perpetual. The endowment provides tuition support to students majoring in criminal justice. The recipient may continue to enjoy the benefits of the scholarship annually provided academic progress and performance are evident. The scholarship, then, is renewable for a second year. Awards are made annually. In keeping with the conditions of the scholarship, the school employs the following criteria when selecting a recipient:

• Junior, senior or graduate-level criminal justice student enrolled full- or part-time with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• The recipient must possess the capacity, motivation and initiative to realize educational and professional goals.

*Applications accepted until the last Friday in February for the following academic year*

In Memoriam

Michael J. Rutherford died a young man, a victim of a senseless crime. His family and friends suffered, but hope for the day when such pain will no longer afflict innocents.

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Richard Post, a 1964 alumnus of the School of Criminal Justice, and his spouse, Penelope, made a gift of land in 1986. They wished the proceeds from the sale of the gift to benefit criminal justice students with an emphasis in private and industrial security.

The Private & Industrial Security Endowed Scholarship is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to establish educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve such goals and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

Consistent with the Posts' wishes, the School of Criminal Justice has created this endowment. It provides tuition support on an annual basis to one or more students majoring in criminal justice and pursuing a private or industrial security concentration or specialization. Recipients may reapply for the award in subsequent years. In keeping with the conditions of the award, the school employs the following criteria when selecting a recipient:

• Junior, senior or graduate student enrolled as a degree candidate on regular status that possesses promising academic and professional potential.
• Student who shows demonstrable potential to make professional contributions to the private and/or industrial security field.

Applications for the Private & Industrial Security Endowed Scholarship must be received by the School of Criminal Justice by the last Friday in February. A selection committee will recommend a recipient to the director of the School of Criminal Justice. The recipient will be notified in writing.

*Applications accepted until the last Friday in February for the following academic year*

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The Susan and Robert C. Trojanowicz Juvenile Justice Scholarship honors Professor Robert C. Trojanowicz in recognition of his contributions to juvenile justice during his career at Michigan State University.

Trojanowicz was a teacher and author dedicated to improving the quality of life in communities. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1963 and his master’s degree in social work in 1965 at MSU. He went on to earn his doctorate in social science at MSU in 1968.

Trojanowicz became a professor at MSU in 1969 after beginning his career as the director of Pine Lodge, a halfway house for delinquents in Lansing. His first book, "Juvenile Delinquency: Concepts and Controls" was published in 1973 and was the top selling juvenile justice textbook of 1973.

Between 1973 and 1978 he served as assistant dean of the College of Social Science. He went on to become director for the School of Criminal Justice for 12 years (1976-1977 and 1980-1991). In 1994 he received the MSU Distinguished Faculty Award. Trojanowicz passed away February 11, 1994, at the age of 52.

This scholarship is to be awarded to students enrolled in the MSU College of Social Science, School of Criminal Justice. In keeping with the conditions of the scholarship, the School employs the following criteria when selecting a recipient:

• Recipient must be an undergraduate with a GPA of 2.75 or higher and who is interested in juvenile justice, with special consideration to be given to those applicants who have demonstrated interest in delinquency prevention.
• Recipient must have demonstrated the capacity and motivation to achieve educational and professional goals.

*Applications accepted until the last Friday in February for the following academic year*

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Captain James A. Carter of the Michigan Department of State Police established this scholarship generated by the Tournament of Friendship. The tournament is an annual golf event held for the purpose of promoting and fostering positive relations between members of law enforcement and minority communities.

The Tournament of Friendship Scholarship is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals and who have the initiative to seek opportunities to further advance their progress.

This scholarship is awarded to minority students pursuing a degree in the field of criminal justice. In keeping with the conditions of the scholarship, the school employs the following criteria when selecting a recipient:

• Undergraduate or graduate level criminal justice student enrolled full- or part-time, and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Student must be a resident in the state of Michigan.
• The recipient will be selected on the basis of financial need, as determined by the university.
• The recipient must possess the capacity, motivation and initiative to realize educational and professional goals.

*Applications accepted until the last Friday in February for the following academic year*

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The Walter E. Bothe Memorial Scholarship was established by Mary Ann Petree for Michigan State University's School of Criminal Justice in honor of the memory, achievements and vitality of her brother.

The memorial scholarship is intended to encourage students of law enforcement who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

The Bothe scholarship is an endowment that provides tuition support on an annual basis to students majoring in criminal justice with an interest in law enforcement. The recipient may reapply for the award in subsequent years. In keeping with the conditions of the scholarship, the school employs the following criteria when selecting a recipient:

• Undergraduate or graduate level student enrolled full- or part-time who has a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• The recipient should have a demonstrable interest in a law enforcement career on the local, state or federal level.
• The recipient must possess the capacity, motivation and initiative to realize educational and professional goals.

Applications for the Walter E. Bothe Memorial Scholarship must be received by the School of Criminal Justice by the last Friday in February. A selection committee will recommend a recipient to the director of the School of Criminal Justice. The recipient will be notified in writing.

*Applications accepted until the last Friday in February for the following academic year*

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This scholarship is being provided in honor of the late Professor Zolton Ferency in recognition of his contributions to the criminal justice profession during his 20 years of affiliation with Michigan State University.  One of the best known figures in Michigan politics, Zolton Ferency was a tireless fighter for human rights.  Never settling for the status quo, Ferency ran for governor, State Supreme Court and State Senate.  He was elected Ingham County Commissioner in 1980 and to the East Lansing City Council in 1991.  In 1963 Ferency was elected chairperson of the State Democratic Party, and in 1970 he helped found the Human Rights Party.

This scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in the MSU College of Social Science, School of Criminal Justice.  In keeping with the conditions of the scholarship, the School employs the following criteria when selecting a recipient:

1. Recipients must be outstanding undergraduate or graduate students, who are in good academic standing.
2. Recipients must have demonstrated the capacity and motivation to achieve  educational and professional goals.
3. The recipient will be selected on the basis of financial need, as determined  by the University.

Applications for the Zolton Ferency Endowed Scholarship must be received by the School of Criminal Justice by the last Friday in February. The selection committee will recommend a recipient to the Director of the School of Criminal Justice. The recipient will be notified in writing.

*Applications accepted until the last Friday in February for the following academic year*

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING:

Complete the application (found at the end of this document)  and submit it with a copy of your college transcript(s), resume and a personal letter commenting on why you chose the criminal justice field and the career you wish to pursue after graduation. Incoming freshmen must have applied and been accepted by the University and will also need to provide a copy of their high school transcript. Applicants must also provide a copy of their financial aid award notification to demonstrate financial need.

YOU MUST ALSO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING LETTERS OF REFERENCE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE SCHOOL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE:

1. One letter of recommendation from an instructor or professor familiar with your scholastic endeavors.

2. One letter of personal reference from an individual (not a former teacher) who can attest to your character.

Send documents to:

The School of Criminal Justice
Selection Committee
c/o Tim Homberg
Michigan State University
130 Baker Hall
East Lansing, MI  48824-1118

*Applications accepted until the last Friday in February for the following academic year*

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