Scholarships

Dr. Marshall Smith organized a group of professors into the department of Psychology in 1957, when TCNJ was called Trenton State Teachers College. He was the first chair of this new department, and he held the position until 1971, when he returned to the classroom. Mike, as he was affectionately known, inspired many students and colleagues. After Dr. Smith died suddenly in 1978, his family and friends began a scholarship fund in his memory.

In 2008, the funding of the Marshall P. Smith Scholarship was changed, with the creation of the Nancy Schacht Breland Family Fund. This fund now endows the Smith Scholarship, which means that this scholarship can continue to make significant awards to outstanding psychology students forever. Dr. Nancy Schacht Breland was a professor in the Psychology Department for 34 years, and chairperson of the department for 6 years. Dr. Marshall Smith was one of her early and much admired mentors. Dr. Breland has made many substantial donations to the Smith Scholarship over the years in memory of her late father, her late aunt, and her late husband. Dr. Breland’s family depended on scholarships to help pay for their higher educations. She hopes that her gifts in their memories will help outstanding TCNJ students to pay for their educations, and their dreams, and that they will work to make the world a better place.

Each year this scholarship is awarded to a psychology major who has demonstrated academic excellence, commitment to psychology, and involvement in campus and community activities. Submit your application to this Google Form.

Laurie Ann Mandara was a Psychology major who died from cancer in September 2006; she was awarded her bachelors degree posthumously in May 2007. Laurie persevered with her education throughout her illness and treatment, and demonstrated extraordinary courage and persistence in the face of obstacles. Everyone who met her was impressed with her dedication to her studies, her optimism, her resilience, and her generous spirit. Laurie was a loving, giving, and selfless person. She was very close to her family and friends, and had a strong religious faith. She loved learning and had an enthusiastic passion for life. Her friends would say she could turn ordinary activities into extraordinary ones, and that she taught them to appreciate every day.

Laurie was a member of Psi Chi, was on the Dean’s List, and was an active member of the Student Government Association. She also completed the 2004 Boston Marathon. Laurie loved nature and music, and she highly valued community service and service to others; she participated in many such activities on and off campus.

Laurie’s memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew her and in the Laurie Ann Mandara ’07 Scholarship. The scholarship was begun by Laurie’s family, and they along with Laurie’s friends have contributed generously over the years. In addition, the 2007 Senior Class donated their financial gift to the Psychology Department in memory of Laurie and when the Psychology Department won the Mildred Dahne Award for departmental excellence in 2008, the entire monetary award went to the Laurie Ann Mandara Scholarship fund. By supporting students whose values and involvements are similar to Laurie’s, the scholarship honors Laurie’s memory.

The Laurie Ann Mandara ’07 Scholarship is given each year to a psychology major who has demonstrated academic excellence and who has either demonstrated a commitment to community service or has overcome compelling personal obstacles. Submit your application to this Google Form.

For many years, this award, although an honor, was unfunded. Beginning in 2019, Noelle’s parents began a scholarship fund for this award to honor Noelle’s memory after she passed away unexpectedly in 2018.Noelle received the Outstanding Research Scholar Award in 2015 for her work with Jessica Barnack-Tavlaris, who described Noelle as “a critical thinker, intellectually curious, compassionate, open-minded, insightful, and more.” Noelle was involved in research every semester starting her freshman year at TCNJ, and completed a mentored summer research experience in 2015. She co-authored multiple conference presentations in 2 different research labs, and received a research grant from Psi Chi for her Senior Honors Thesis. In addition to her research and academic excellence, Noelle was a dedicated mental health advocate in various capacities. For example, Noelle co-founded and served as President of TCNJ’s chapter of Active Minds, which is an organization that helps reduce mental health stigma. She was also very involved in the Psychology Club and the TCNJ Wellness League. After graduating from TCNJ in 2016, Noelle completed the Teach & Learn in Spain Master’s Program at Instituto Franklin in Madrid, Spain, where she continued to leave a lasting impact on the lives of many.

In addition to their generous contributions, her father and step-mother, Mark and Deidre, have written a children’s book series called A Whisper from Noelle, with proceeds funding this scholarship as well. The books are about embracing feelings and sharing those feelings with the people we love.

Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology

A major benefit of joining Psi Chi is the lifelong scholarship opportunities that are available to undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members. Click here for more information about TCNJ’s chapter of Psi Chi and information about how to join.

Psi Chi Undergraduate Awards/Scholarships

Psi Chi Undergraduate Grants