Leslie Oakley Memorial Scholarship

Leslie S. Oakley, a 1929 graduate of the New Paltz Normal School and later a teacher at the Campus School, passed away in October of 1997 following a long illness. In his memory, his daughter, JoAnn Oakley McCreight and his son, Quentin, have established a scholarship fund at SUNY New Paltz. Four generations of Oakleys are New Paltz alumni: Leslie Oakley’s mother, Sara Williams, earned her rural school license in the late 1800s; Leslie’s wife, A. Mildred Roland Oakley, earned three degrees from New Paltz in ’28, ’55, and ’58; their children, JoAnn ’59 and Quentin ’70 and ’74 MS, who created this scholarship; and granddaughters Leslie Ann McCreight ’91 and Sarah Oakley in ’96 and ’99. Professor Oakley began teaching at the Campus School in 1937 and continued at New Paltz until his retirement in 1968. During his tenure of nearly three decades, he was known for his interest in developing technology and introduced many teachers and students to its use and value.

This is a one-year, non-renewable scholarship available to education students entering their senior year who have displayed proven academic ability. The applicant for this scholarship must be majoring in education and planning to pursue a graduate degree at SUNY New Paltz. 4+1 majors are encouraged to apply! They must be a senior in good standing with a minimum 3.5 GPA and a full time matriculated student. The applicant must provide a recommendation from faculty or staff familiar with their work.