Stony Brook, NY, is about as far away from Potsdam as you can get within New York state, both geographically and socio-economically. But after a visit to the campus, Krista Fordham ’94 fell in love with the friendly people, like so many other students who choose Potsdam. Now, after 14 years away and establishing an endowed scholarship, she is back at her alma mater as a “non-traditional” student and experiencing what the College has to offer its graduate students.

"Potsdam has a top-notch teacher education program, and there was no question as to where I would go."

Fordham earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and then went on to work in the human resources field.
“After working in a career in human resources at a great company, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming an elementary school teacher,” she said. “Potsdam has a top-notch teacher education program, and there was no question as to where I would go.”

Being an adult student allows Fordham to have a different appreciation of the College. “I know if I have a question, the professors are very accessible, and they are always willing to help,” she said. “I’m sure this was true when I was an undergraduate, but I never took advantage of it.”

She still finds everyone very friendly, but the experience has been even more than she expected.

“I have learned so much from the program and have created great professional contacts,” Fordham said.

Because of the quality of education she received in her undergraduate days and her desire for others to have the same kind of enriching experiences and fun memories (she is particularly fond of her late-night study sessions with friends and the first snowball fight of the year), she created the Krista Fordham ’94 Scholarship in 2005. At the time it was created, Fordham was the youngest donor to endow a scholarship at SUNY Potsdam. The scholarship is awarded each year to a student in the Department of English and Communication who is in good academic standing and demonstrates financial need.

“I was very fortunate to have parents who could, and were willing to, pay for my entire undergraduate degree. I know not many people are so lucky, and I wanted to be able to help some of these students achieve their dreams,” Fordham said. “This is also why I have recently increased the amount given for the scholarship.”

English literature major Timothy Shenk Jr. of Philadelphia, NY, was awarded the 2008 scholarship. “The Krista Fordham ’94 Scholarship has given me assurance and motivation that cannot be measured. Being chosen to be the recipient of your scholarship has brightened my present and future,” Shenk wrote to Fordham. “Your scholarship supports my dreams and gives me undeniable proof that effort and good intentions are rewarded.”