TEANECK – Senator Loretta Weinberg today announced that Steven Paradalis of Pompton Lakes has received the 2007 D. Bennett Mazur Scholarship award.
Steven just completed his junior year at Ramapo College, where he is a Political Science major and holds a 3.87 grade point average, Senator Weinberg said.
The scholarship fund was established in 1997, in memory of D. Bennett Mazur, a former State Assemblyman and Bergen County Freeholder. Assemblyman Mazur was first elected to the State Assembly in 1972, where he served until his retirement in 1992.
A native of Ft. Lee, Assemblyman Mazur fought in World War II, where he earned three Purple Hearts and Bronze Star. He is best known for sponsoring 1992 legislation, outlawing the practice of discrimination on the basis of gender or sexuality when awarding hiring, job promotion, financial loans, credit and housing.
“This scholarship fund was created to honor the life and legacy of Assemblyman Mazur, and to help students with a similar vision to reach their educational goals,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen, who helped to establish the scholarship fund with other members of the Bergen County community. “Assemblyman Mazur was a friend, a colleague, and an irreplaceable member of the Bergen County family, and this scholarship fund will help keep his fight against discrimination alive.”
Cathleen Davey, Executive Director of the Ramapo College Foundation said,”We are honored to administer the Assemblyman Bennett Mazur Scholarship. His legacy for public service and his commitment to the less fortunate sets an incredible example for our students to emulate. Students who demonstrate a commitment to urban affairs and have a sincere interest in public policy have an opportunity to distinguish themselves as Bennett Mazur Scholars. Ramapo benefited for many years from the Assemblyman’s commitment to public higher education and his passion for teaching – today our students benefit by the example and legacy he leaves behind.”