Iris Stedener
Iris J. Stedener was a lifelong Ellenville resident for more than 70 years and an avid supporter of education, the arts and animal rights. Ms. Stedener graduated from Cortland State Teacher’s College later named SUNY at Cortland. Upon her passing, Ms. Stedener made a generous provision in her will to support scholarships for Ellenville high school students, students attending SUNY Orange, SUNY Sullivan, SUNY Ulster, SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Cortland College. In addition, she included in her will such diverse institutions as Ellenville Library, Ulster SPCA, Ellenville First Aid and Rescue Squad and Shadowland Artists.
Impact
“I send my sincere gratitude for making the Iris Stedener Scholarship possible. I came here as an international student and I was warmly welcomed to become a part of SUNY Orange’s family. We all support each other to make great things possible. Every individual is given enormous opportunities to help them grow into what they have always aspired for. I am grateful to God who send people like you into the lives of such students as me and make them fly high and turn dreams into reality. I am obliged to serve this community since the community have made me whatever I am and wherever I stand today and what I will be in future. I thank everyone from the core of my heart to provide students like me with scholarships and let leaders be born without worrying about how to achieve success instead let success come flying to them. I have been tensed lately because of financial problems but now I am cheered to be awarded this scholarship which reduces my tuition for coming semesters. Now, I would be able to focus even more on my studies and in making my desire of becoming a Computer Scientist a reality. Moreover, I promise to help, support the future students just as I am being helped, today. I whole heartedly thank you.” – Amanpreet Kaur Bassi