Each year, during the Annual Conference, NYSASBO grants several scholarships and awards to members in recognition of their achievement and/or dedication.

For more information and to apply or nominate someone, please download our Awards & Scholarships brochure as well as a summary of the criteria used for selection.

Philip B. Fredenburg Memorial Award for Outstanding Service

NYSASBO’s Award for Outstanding Service has been awarded since 1958 to individuals whose service to the New York State Association of School Business Officials, their school district, community, and the profession of education, is determined to be above and beyond normal expectations of performance and achievement. In 1999, the award was renamed the Philip B. Fredenburg Memorial Award for Outstanding Service in honor of Mr. Fredenburg, Past President (1995-96) of the Association, 1997 recipient of the Outstanding Service Award, and an articulate voice for New York State and the profession of School Business Administration.

Recipient Selection

1. A letter of nomination for the Philip B. Fredenburg Memorial Award for Outstanding Service must be received by the deadline date. The letter should discuss how the nominee’s contributions to the profession qualify him/her for recognition. The letter of nomination should also include the names of two individuals who can provide professional references for the nominee.

2. The nominator’s letter and the nomination form (see page 8) will serve as the basis for adjudication by the scholarships and awards reviewing committee.

3. The names of all nominees will remain confidential.

4. The scholarships & awards reviewing committee will report its findings to the Executive Director, who will in turn notify members of the NYSASBO Board of Directors of the selection. In the case of a tie, the review committee will check references supplied by the nominator and will select a single recipient.

Individuals should have demonstrated exemplary service in one or more of the areas listed on the application form and should reflect the highest standards of the profession. The total award of $1,500 is divided into two portions. The recipient receives $500 and a $1,000 scholarship is presented in their name to a deserving high school student.

Robert E. Lorette Award

The Dr. Robert E. Lorette Award was established in 1985 and is presented to individuals submitting an outstanding research paper to NYSASBO. A former teacher, Superintendent of Schools, State Education Department Official, businessman, and Professor of Educational Administration at SUNY Albany, Dr. Lorette led the development of a series of handbooks for school business officials in 1957-58 and was instrumental in the formation of the Capital Chapter of NYSASBO. He received the Outstanding Service Award in 1973, and in 1994, he was honored for his vision and leadership on the occasion of the 25th Summer Business Management Workshop.

Recipient Selection

Active and educational associate members are invited to submit papers for consideration for the Robert E. Lorette Award. Presentation of the award will be made at the Annual Conference. To be considered for the $250 award, the following criteria must be met:

1. The applicant must submit an original research paper and include a title, author’s name and affiliation, phone number, and a 100-150 word abstract;

2. The applicant must be enrolled in a bona fide training program in school business management;

3. The applicant must be a resident of New York State;

4. The research should make a significant contribution to the practice of school business management in New York; and

5. The applicant must be willing to present his/her paper at a meeting of the Professional Development Committee, if so requested.

The award selection will be made by the NYSASBO Professional Development Committee no later than March 31st, based upon the degree to which the research is aligned with the goal of making a contribution to school business management practice in New York, academic rigor, scholarly importance, and quality of writing.

Joan Colvin Starfish Award

Developed in 2001, and awarded for the first time in 2003, this award is named for Joan Colvin, Past President of NYSASBO 2000-2001. The award was created to recognize any member of the Association who has been determined by the membership to have “made a difference” through submission of an article that was published in the ASBO Reporter in the prior calendar year. The word “Starfish” was included in the name of the award in recognition of Dr. Colvin’s guiding devotion to education as expressed in Loren Eiseley’s story, The Star Thrower, which essentially states that no matter how small or large our actions may be, we all can make a difference.

The Star Thrower

There once was a young man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day as he was walking along the shore the man noticed, as he looked down the beach, a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was an old man who was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very purposefully throwing it into the ocean.

As the man got closer he called out, “Good morning! What are you doing?” The wise man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

“But don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it? You can’t possibly make a difference!”, said the younger man.

The wise man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves. He smiled gently and responded, “I made a difference for that one.”

Recipient Selection

1. Nominations/Applications will automatically be initiated by the submission and publication of an original article in The Reporter during a calendar year.

2. The recipient shall be chosen by the Board of Directors who shall review the recommendation of the Membership Committee. The Membership Committee will make their recommendation with input from statewide (online) vote of the membership.

3. Articles will be available on-line. Members will be allowed to vote and rate the articles on a scale of 1-5, 5 being most useful, 1 being least useful.

Philip J. Moore Scholarship

Since 1966 NYSASBO has conducted a scholarship program for members who are pursuing their studies. In May 1973, the fund was renamed in dedication to Philip J. Moore. Mr. Moore, a founding member of NYSASBO, served as the Association’s second Executive Secretary-Treasurer from 1957 to 1971. After receiving his master’s degree from St. Lawrence University, he spent five years as an English teacher for Lansingburgh Schools. In September 1948, Philip joined the State Education Department where he worked in the field of school business management for 26 years, retiring in 1974 as the Chief of the Bureau of Special Education Management Services. A recipient of the Association’s Outstanding Service Award in 1964, he received Honorary Life Membership in 1971.

Recipient Selection

In order to be considered for this $1,000 scholarship, an applicant must:

1. Be an active member of NYSASBO for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive calendar months immediately prior to January 1.;

2. Be taking at least one tuitioned course relevant to the performance of his/her duties at the time of application;

3. Be employed on a full-time basis in a school business related position such as School Administrator, Business Manager, Auditor, Accountant, Treasurer, Director of Transportation, Intern or a similar position for a period of twelve (12) months in a public school system in New York State immediately prior to January 1; and

4. Submit a letter of recommendation for the scholarship by a supervisor under whom the person has served for the past twelve (12) months.

Maurice G. Osborne Scholarship

In May 1985 a second scholarship for members pursuing their studies was created to honor Maurice G. Osborne. In 1947, Mr. Osborne issued an invitation to a group of school officials that resulted in the formation of an association whose goal was to provide leadership in the establishment of improved safety standards and practices in New York State. Mr. Osborne served as Secretary of the NYSASBO for eight years. He received the first NYSASBO Outstanding Service Award in 1958, as the Association recognized the man who devoted 28 years of his life to the advancement of school business administration and to the organization that he felt could be important in honing the skills of the people entering this rapidly expanding field.

Recipient Selection

In order to be considered for this $1,000 scholarship an applicant must:

1. Be an active member of NYSASBO for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive calendar months immediately prior to January 1;

2. Be taking at least one tuitioned course relevant to the performance of his/her duties at the time of application;

3. Be employed on a full-time basis in a school business related position such as School Administrator, Business Manager, Auditor, Accountant, Treasurer, Director of Transportation, Intern or a similar position for a period of twelve (12) months in a public school system in New York State immediately prior to January; and

4. Submit a letter of recommendation for the scholarship by a supervisor under whom the person has served for the past twelve (12) months.

Past Presidents’ Scholarship

The Past Presidents’ Scholarship was presented for the first time in 1998, and funded entirely by Past President C. Thomas Cummings until 2002. The award is still largely funded by Mr. Cummings, although contributions from other Past Presidents are now received in support of the scholarship. The scholarship is available for educational associate members or active members enrolled full-time in a program leading to School Business Administrator Certification.

Recipient Selection

To be considered for this scholarship, an applicant must:

1. Be an active or educational member of NYSASBO on or before December 1 of the prior calendar year;

2. Be matriculated in an educational administration program at an accredited college or university working towards certification as a school business administrator (proof of matriculation required);

3. Be an educational member taking at least nine (9) credit hours per semester OR an active member taking at least (6) credit hours per semester; and

4. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current academic advisor.

Conference Scholarship for First Time Attendees

This scholarship was developed with the intent of providing those who are new to the field the opportunity to experience the Annual Meeting & Exhibits and all of its offerings. These scholarships were awarded for the first time in June 2002, and winners experience fast-track networking as they are recognized at the Past Presidents’ Reception and throughout the duration of the conference.

Recipient Selection

NYSASBO will provide two (2) individuals an opportunity to attend our annual conference on a scholarship. Each scholarship will cover an individual’s registration fees and meals. Successful applicants, or their district, are responsible for transportation costs, overnight accomodations, and any incidental expense. To be considered for this scholarship, the following criteria must be met:

1. The applicant must be an active member of NYSASBO;

2. The applicant must have been working in a school business official role for less than three years;

3. The applicant must never have attended NYSASBO’s annual conference; and

4. Pre-registered first time attendees are excluded from this offer.

Interested individuals should send a communication stating their desire to attend to the attention of the Executive Director. Highlight the professional benefits to yourself and your school district. Further, certification from the Superintendent and/or Board authorizing applicant’s attendance must be forwarded to the same address.

George A. Perry Volunteer Service Award

Presented for the first time in 2007, this award is named for George A. Perry, Executive Director of NYSASBO 1992-2006. Based upon Mr. Perry’s continual encouragement of volunteer participation by NYSASBO members across New York State, this award was created to recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service to NYSASBO through a significant contribution in the local chapter and/or to the state organization.

Recipient Selection

To be considered for this award, an applicant must be an active member of NYSASBO for at least one full year and currently employed full-time in a school business management position. The total award of $1,000 is divided into two portions. The recipient receives $250 and a $750 scholarship is presented in their name to a deserving high school student.