Humanitarian Fund

Sister Judith Fenyvesi Social Work Humanitarian Fund

Students, at times, face crises that threaten their ability to continue in the Social Work program. The Sister Judith Fenyvesi Social Work Humanitarian Fund was established in 1996 to promote the well-being of students by providing one-time financial assistance to students with identified emergency needs. The fund is governed by a faculty committee using dollars raised at our annual spring dinner. Dispersed funds must be repaid by the student - thereby allowing other students to benefit from this fund.

The fund is named for Sister Judith Fenyvesi, a Sisters of Social Service nun who emigrated from Romania with limited English proficiency after serving a ten-year prison sentence for practicing her faith. She would go on to found the Daemen College Social Work program in 1975, to see the program through its initial accreditation, and to serve as its first Program Director.

Throughout her life, Sr. Judith worked to fulfill her dream of “alleviating human suffering and giving hope to those in the darkness.” She traveled to Hungary and Romania to support those who were compelled to practice their religion underground for fear of imprisonment. She advocated for policy reform and sponsored several families seeking refuge in the United States. She instilled her strong values, determination, and commitment to service to others into the program.

Review and complete the Sr. Judith Fenyvesi Social Work Humanitarian Fund Application materials (PDF) to apply.

For more information about this fund, please contact the Undergraduate Program Director.

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