Joseph S. Sperrazza Endowed Scholarship Fund

Description: Joseph S. Sperrazza Endowed Scholarship Fund is available to students (undergraduate or graduate) working towards a degree in elementary or secondary education.
Requirements: Recipient must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate a strong commitment to community and/or public service organizations such as AmeriCorps, Peace Corp, or volunteering with a human services agency (including but not limited to City Mission, Cornerstone Manor, Red Cross). Financial need (verified with valid FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid Office) will be taken into consideration, but not required. Preference given to students from Western New York
Semester(s) Awarded: Fall and Spring
Renewable: No, however previous recipients may receive more than once if they reapply annually and are considered the best candidate.
Fall and spring disbursements.

A native of North Buffalo, Joseph Salvatore Sperrazza was a dedicated educator who spend much of this career not only teaching students, but also mentoring teachers so they would succeed both professionally and personally. Inspired by Robert F. Kennedy, Mr. Sperrazza volunteered for the Peace Corps after completing his undergraduate degree and spent two life changing years in the Philippines educating and assisting teachers in Filipino schools.
When he returned to Buffalo in 1969, he enrolled at Buffalo State College to continue his own education, completing his Master’s degree in Secondary Education: English in 1974 and receiving a Certificate of Advanced Studies in School Administration and Supervision in 1987. A consummate professional, he taught at Bennett High School, Southside Junior High and the Futures Academy, was an assistant principal at School No. 38 and at the Academy Challenge School, and worked in the Buffalo Board of Education before his untimely death in 2003.
Throughout his career, Mr. Sperrazza focused on helping teachers help children. He believed strongly in the power of service and worked tirelessly to ensure that people came first.