John Fiske Robson was born on January 28, 1931, in Reading, Pennsylvania.
He attended Wappingers Central School District, NY. In 1953, he obtained a Bachelors of Music degree from Eastman School of Music in Rochester NY. In 1956 he received a Master of Divinity degree at The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.
For approximately two years he served as an Assistant Pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Rochester NY, until his gay identity became known.
He then acquired a Master's Degree from the NYU School of Education. For decades he taught music at schools like the Woodmere Academy and other schools in Yonkers and Pelham NY.
John joined The Riverside Church in the early 1970s and was a founding member of Maranatha. He served as Treasurer for several years. He continued as an active member until his death in 2013. John was a generous individual, specifying that his life insurance proceeds go to several charitable projects, one of which is the John Fiske Robson Music Scholar Award.
How to Apply:
The John Fiske Robson Music Scholarship Award is presented by Maranatha, one of the Ministries of Mission and Social Justice at the Riverside Church, which is committed to serving God by fostering greater understanding while promoting equity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Same-Gender Loving, and Allies.
The completed application must be submitted though the electronic online process. No paper application will be accepted. All required attachments must be submitted at the same time your application is submitted.
The deadline for filing is May 31, 2024. Only complete applications can be considered. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Your application will be reviewed by members of the Maranatha Scholarship Committee. Selection will be based on the Eligibility Criteria listed below.
Eligibility Criteria:
• All applicants must be attending an accredited college, vocational college, or university as a fulltime student, or be planning to attend in the Fall of 2024. The student may be commencing studies or may already be attending, and may be working toward a vocational school Certificate of Completion, Associate, Baccalaureate, or Master's degree.
• Be in good academic standing in a current academic program, or in the academic or vocational program most recently completed.
• Be self-identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and / or Transgender.
• Have been active in one or more LGBTQIA organizations, in roles that demonstrate leadership and service.
• If you are selected, you must attend the Riverside Church Pride Sunday Breakfast Celebration on Sunday, June 30, 2024. The scholarship will be presented at this event.
• Remember! Keep a copy of your application for your records.
Questions may be directed to The Riverside Church Missions and Social Justice Office at msjtrcnyc.org.
Reminder: Submit your completed application and all scanned attachments by May 31, 2024.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.