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Message Rockland NegroScholarship Fund, Inc.February 23, 2025Celebrating Our Past, Present & Future

Congratulations to ALL of the HonoreesandThe Rockland NegroScholarship Fund, Inc.on your 60th Anniversary GalaHannemann Funeral Home, Inc.88 South BroadwayNyack, NY(845) 358-0573Serving ALL faiths.“Independently owned and operated”

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEDr. Dana G. Stilley Dear Family, Friends and Supporters, Welcome to the 160th Anniversary of the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund, Inc. We are proud of the impact that RNSF has had on the lives of so many and delighted that you have joined us in this celebration of our past, present, and future. Since 1965, the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund has maintained a stalwart position in the community. With a mission of providing financial support to college-bound students, RNSF has awarded more than 1,000 scholarships, exceeding $1.5 million over the years. We look forward to embracing future generations of scholars thanks to the support of our board, community partners and friends. Today we have an excellent afternoon planned for you, which will include the inaugural induction of Rose Holland, Laurence Holland, Lucile Holt, and Orange & Rockland Utilities into the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund Hall of Fame. We applaud our inductees and honor them today for their extraordinary commitment to RNSF. I wish to thank each of you for your continued support of The Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund. Your generous contributions are greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Dana G. Stilley Dr. Dana G. Stilley

of Inspiring Scholars for ExcellenceRockland Negro Scholarship FundFounding MembersLeonard Cooke William CurranHarry DunbarEarnestine EllisonMr. & Mrs. Bernard CharlesMargaret Atkins TuittYearsMr. & Mrs. Fred Guggenheim Marjorie HamiltonWilliam MatthewsDr. Edgar MilfordDean John MusselmanDonald PolkAtty. Werner LoebDr. Marvin NelsonMr. & Mrs. George RomanMilton J. Stubb

The Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund, Inc. (RNSF) is anon-profit, tax exempt organization which wasestablished in Rockland County in 1965, by 19 communitymembers who recognized the need to assist students ofthe African diaspora with college costs. The firstscholarship was awarded to Alphonso Brooks in 1965. Hereceived all the money that was raised that year - $117.50.Alphonso went on to become an attorney in New YorkCity and for a brief period served as Legal Counsel for theFund. Since that time, RNSF has awarded scholarshipseach year. Current awards range from $ 1,250 to $ 2,000. In the early years the RNSF gave scholarships primarily tograduating seniors residing in Rockland County. Currently,RNSF also awards memorial scholarships in remembranceof many friends, family and loyal former executive boardmembers including Margaret Giles, correspondingsecretary of the Fund for more than 20 years, Frances M.Hunter, who served as treasurer of the Fund for morethan 40 years, Lucile Holt who served as President of theFund for 16 years, Thomas Williams, the RNSF formerBusiness Liaison and Patricia Roy, Vice President andScholarship Chairperson in the 80s. The Fund has been blessed with the ability to change withchanging times. The long term commitment of its boardmembers, and the generosity of the Rockland Countycommunity have kept RNSF focused and committed to itsmission. The Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund, Inc.

In the late 1980s, Mr. George Bouton, Sr. voiced concernsabout upper level college students having the financialmeans to continue their education and not drop out. Toaddress this, Mr. Bouton donated $ 10,000 for 7 years to theRNSF, who established the George Bouton, Sr. ContinuingEducation Scholarships that assisted 96 students. After the passing of Mr. Bouton, RNSF was unable to providefunds for these scholarships until Laurence & Rose Hollanddonated $50,000 in 2001. Years later, Monsignor Cox alsomade a significant donation to the Continuing Educationscholarships, which remains active. These scholarships areeligible for upper level college students who are pastrecipients and have maintained a GPA of at least 2.75. TheRockland Negro Scholarship Fund has had continued supportfrom many other local businesses, civic groups andindividuals as evidenced by our specialty scholarships. Loyalsupporters for years include Orange and Rockland Utilities,the Family of Arthur and Grace Huggins, Alex Cabraie, andJudge and Mrs. William K. Nelson. Most recently RNSFinstituted a new fundraiser – “$ for Scholars” which hasenabled RNSF to increase our partnerships. The RNSF is proud of its legacy, and the many students it hasbeen able to support over the 60 years. The Rockland NegroScholarship Fund has awarded over 1,000 scholarshipsexceeding $1.5 million. The RNSF is not abiliated with the United Negro ScholarshipFund (UNCF), it is a Rockland County based independentorganization. Those that serve on the Board of Directors doso voluntarily. Cont.The Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund, Inc.

2025 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEELAURENCE H. HOLLAND The late Laurence H. Holland was born in Tampa, Florida,where he received his elementary and high school education.Laurence enlisted in the United States Navy, After hishonorable discharge, Laurence attended the Central StateUniversity in Wilberforce, Ohio where he graduated with a BSin Science degree. He continued his post graduate studies atNew York University, Rutgers University, and the City CollegeNew York. Laurence began his professional career at Lederle Labs inPearl River, NY, as a research chemist, process controlchemist and department head. He was Lederle’srepresentative on the Rockland Private Industry Council andserved on the loan committee for the Lederle Federal CreditUnion. An advocate in the community and on his job, he madeit his mission to recruit Blacks to work at Lederle. He did notwant his legacy to be that he was “the only Black”. Laurence spent many years associated with the MacedoniaBaptist Church in Piermont, NY. After his marriage to RoseWithers Abdul, he joined St. Charles AME Zion Church,Sparkill, NY. A very active and supportive member at St.Charles, Lonnie served on the Trustee Board, Men’s Choir. Heorganized a Cub Scouts Troop, sponsored annual fishing tripsand many other worthwhile activities. As a benefactor andhumanitarian, one of his greatest joys was blessing the church.

LAURENCE HOLLAND, cont.Laurence loved people. He was a trailblazer, a philanthropist,leader, visionary, and loving family man. As a Civil RightsActivist he worked tirelessly to promote civil and human rightsin Rockland County. He served as President of The NyackNAACP (1969-1975) and was a Golden Life Member. Hepromoted integrated housing, equal job opportunities andjustice for all as Chairman of the Board of Directors ofRockland County Action Council (R.O.C.A.C.).A member and significant donor of the Rockland NegroScholarship Fund, Inc., Laurence loved the fund andsupported its mission. The donations received from him andhis spouse Rose, enabled RNSF to expand the ContinuingEducation Program, and provided financial assistance tocollege sophomores, juniors, and seniors. On the manyoccasions that he talked to students, he would inquire abouttheir educational goals and encourage them to go to collegepreferably, his beloved Central State University. Lonnie was a charter member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,Rockland County Chapter. He was inducted into the RocklandCounty Human Rights of Fame in October 2011. He supportednumerous non-profit organizations. Laurence loved his wife, Rose M. Holland, his family andfriends. His last public speech was at his 80th birthday partywhere he told his frat brothers, “There is a lot of work to bedone, and I expect you young brothers to pick up the torchand carry it.” He lived a life of giving the best of his service.

2025 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEEROSE HOLLANDBorn in Alamance County, North Carolina, Rose attendedOrange County Elementary and High School before graduatingfrom Charles Evans Hughes High School in New York City.Determined to continue her education, Rose attended Rockland Community College, Saint Thomas Aquinas College,and the American Banking Institute.A proud mother of three sons, five grandchildren, and twogreat-grandchildren, Rose spent nearly 60 years in RocklandCounty, where she profoundly impacted her profession andcommunity. Her career began at Prentice Hall Publishing inEnglewood Cliffs, NJ, where she worked for 30 years in variousmanagerial positions. Rose was recognized for her exceptionalcontributions, being named Employee of the Year numeroustimes. She retired in January 2000. Rose’s commitment to service extended beyond her career. Adevoted member of St. Charles AME. Zion Church, she heldnumerous leadership roles and remained involved in thechurch until relocating to North Carolina. Rose also served asthe president of the NY Westchester Central State UniversityMothers Club, and later as the national president, raising fundsand organizing events for the betterment of the university.A philanthropist at heart, Rose dedicated much of her life togiving back to her community and supporting causes shebelieved in. As a Golden Life Member of the Nyack NAACP,she served on the board as second vice president, and as co-editor of the NAACP newsletter.

ROSE HOLLAND, cont.Additionally, she was the chairperson of the youth groupand led initiatives aimed at supporting young people in thecommunity. Her leadership was also instrumental duringher six-year tenure as president of the Rockland NegroScholarship Fund, Inc., where she helped distributescholarships to deserving students. Rose says that hergreatest joy in life was being able to serve as president ofthe Fund, as it gave her the opportunity to directly impactstudents’ futures and help them achieve their educationalgoals.In addition, Rose and her husband, Laurence, re-established and funded the Continuing Education Awardsto support deserving students, continuing their sharedcommitment to education and community. Rose alsoserved on the Rockland County African American HistoricalBoard, where she contributed to preserving the rich historyof the African American community in the area.Now living in her home state of North Carolina, Roseenjoys her time as the matriarch of the Withers family. Shefinds great joy in spending time with her children,grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, continuing toinspire those around her with her wisdom, grace, and lovefor her community.On behalf of herself and her husband, Rose humbly andgratefully accepts this honor. She is filled with immense joyand gratitude for this recognition.

2025 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEELUCILE HOLTLucile Horton Smith Holt was born in Huntsville, Alabama.She graduated from Alabama A & M University and taughtelementary and junior high school in Limestone CountyAlabama for 10 years before moving to Rockland Countywith her 2 daughters in 1956. She challenged thesuggestion by East Ramapo School District administratorsto put her daughters back a year as the girls were comingfrom a southern school; she won. That was the beginningof her educational advocacy in Rockland County.Lucile continued her education and earned her New YorkState teacher certification, and a Master of Arts Degree inLearning Disabilities from Herbert H. Lehman College. Shepursued additional studies at Mercy College, FairfieldUniversity and New York University.Lucile taught at Rockland Psychiatric Center, and then atRockland County BOCES for 25 years, retiring in 1989.She was honored by BOCES as Teacher of the Year in1975. Lucile was a Trustee at Finkelstein Memorial Library, amember of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, and anactive member and Past Worthy Matron of PoinsettiaChapter #76 Order of Eastern Star of Spring Valley. Shewas inducted posthumously into the Rockland County CivilRights Hall of Fame in 2007.

LUCILE HOLT, cont. She received numerous awards and recognitions, including Townof Ramapo Black Heritage Award, Sweet Spirit Award from ThirdMasonic District, Community Service Award from West Street DayCare Center and Nyack Branch of NAACP, Outstanding ServiceAward from Alabama A & M Alumni of Greater New York, and theAlpha Kappa Alpha Pi Psi Omega Community Service Award.She was an active member of Pilgrim Baptist Church for morethan 50 years, serving in many capacities, including President ofthe Deaconess Board, Treasurer of the Industrial Club, andmember of the Gospel Choir and the United Choir.She was a member of the Hillcrest Civic Association, the NewYork State United Teachers. Nyack NAACP, Life member of theSpring Valley Branch of NAACP, former member of the SalvationArmy Advisory Council, Board of Directors of the I.R.C., Boardmember of the West Street Day Care Center, Volunteer Tutor atthe Martin Luther King Reading Room, and for the RocklandCounty Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.Lucile served as President of the Rockland Negro ScholarshipFund, Inc. from 1989–2004. During those 16 years, Lucilesuccessfully lead the RNSF to raise its profile and build communitypartnerships that would help to sustain the funds financialfoundation.Always there for any and every one, and always full of energy, shewas a pioneer in Rockland County education and a communityactivist. Some folk wondered where all the energy came from; weknow it was for the love of humanity. Mrs. Holt was a once-in-a-lifetime educator and activist who, went beyond the call of duty tomake a difference in the life of everyone she met.

2025 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEEORANGE & ROCKLANDUTILITIES

1972-1976 The Rockland NegroScholarship FundsalutesOur Past Presidents1965 1966-1972 Charles McDearmonHazel LancasterBrenda Lowe WilkinsDr. Arlene ClinkscaleLucile HoltRose HollandHazel LancasterWilliam Smith Donald Polk Bernard CharlesGrace Huggins 1972-1976 1976-1984 19841989-20042004 - 2010 1986-19881985-19862010 - 2020

The Rockland NegroScholarship FundCharter SignatoriesEdward A. McKinneyMarvin O. NelsonAngela PolkEdward RauschartDr. Alan W. SugermanDonald PolkCharles YoungDr. Harry B. DunbarLeonard CookeWilliam W. Mathews

MEZZA AND TUSCAN BARSTEAMING HOTINTERNATIONAL DISHESPENNE VODKAGRILLED CHICKEN SCALOPPINI,SCALLION VELOUTÉPEPPER STEAK, VEGETABLES, ONIONSLONDON BROIL, BORDELAISE SAUCENORWEGIAN SALMON, DILL SAUCE FRIED CALAMARIEGGPLANT ROLLATINI PARMIGIANAROASTED BABY NEW POTATOES SQUASH, ZUCCHINI, CARROTSRICE PILAFDESSERTRED VELVET CAKEFRESH BREWED COFFEE, DECAFFEINATED,HERBAL TEASM E N U

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RNSF FOR 60 YEARS OF SERVICETO THE ROCKLAND COUNTYCOMMUNITYAND TO ALL THE HALL OF FAMEINDUCTEESIN MEMORY OF PAST PRESIDENT1989-2004LUCILE HORTON SMITH HOLTBOARD MEMBER EMERITUSJACQUELINE ANDERSON AND FAMILY

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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Pi Psi Omega Chapter of Rockland County, NY. Congratulations to the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund. Inc. May you continue to be a source ofstrength to the community we servefor another 60 years! We Thank You! Vice President Mrs. Widley Cesar President Mrs. Nicole T. Butcher

Children Birth to 5 Years old.Providing Education, Health, Nutrition,and Family Services.HEAD STARTOF ROCKAND, INC.Www.headstartofrockland.orgLOCATIONS:Haverstraw Head StartNyack Head Start 845-429-2225845-358-2234Spring Valley Head Start 845-352-6671INFO@HEADSTARTOFROCKLAND.ORG NYS Special Education Program Empowering childrenand families for abrighter future. Assistance available in Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Yiddish, & UrduFrances Rivera-Morgan, Interim Executive Director

The Raynor, Carter,Sogadzi FamilyFoundation is proud tosupport RNSFCongratulations on Years of Success

PAUL ADLER, ESQ. SIOR845-770-1205 (OFFICE)CongratulationsRose HollandRockland Negro Scholarship Fundon your 60th Anniversaryand all of the inductees!

PATRONSSusanne JohnsonKimberly MasonMonica Taylor-MasonRev. Melvin J. MunginJohn Stuart

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer.Always remember, you have within you thestrength, the patience, and the passion to reachfor the stars to change the world."Harriet TubmanMcDonalds of Nyack, Nanuet andSpring Valley is proud to be asupporter of the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund

2024-2026 Board of DirectorsPresidentDr. Dana G. StilleyVice PresidentMichael RoyTreasurerCari Davis Financial Secretary Rebecca WebbScholarship ChairpersonAllegrah AbrahamsBusiness LiaisonsR. Michael Miller & Bill Smith Public RelationsTiffany MasonRecording SecretaryOuida ToutebonMembership ChairpersonSharmida Floristal-LevyProgram ChairpersonCandice WhatleyGeneral Board MembersMaureen BrownMichelle BullockWidley CesarAndrea DopwellCassandra HortonLawanda LaneNaomi LautureMargaret TuittChristine WebbJimmie WarrenCharlene Weaver Immediate Past PresidentBill SmithBoard Members EmeritiJacqueline Anderson Helen Crabbe Rose Holland