Ross Vasta Memorial Scholarship

Family and friends of Dr. Ross F. Vasta established the scholarship in his memory to recognize an outstanding student in the Department of Psychology at SUNY Brockport.

Acknowledged as a gifted teacher and an outstanding scholar, Dr. Vasta taught at Brockport for 26 years before his passing in July 2000. As a Distinguished Teaching Professor, he began the Scholars Day ceremony that year, noting that “excellence is a renewing target.” Dr. Vasta received the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching in 1987, and he received the Distinguished Teaching Professor designation in 1995.

In addition to his teaching, Dr. Vasta was a licensed clinical psychologist and author. He published his research, wrote books, and edited journals. He was the editor of Six Theories of Child Development: Revised Formulations and Current Issues, published in 1992, and the author of Child Psychology: the Modern Science, published in 1998. His work was included in the 2008 Anthology of Child Psychology: Development in a Changing Society.

A 1969 graduate of Dartmouth College, Dr. Vasta attended the Woodstock music festival that year. In 1989, on the 20th anniversary of the event, a letter he wrote about Woodstock was published in the 20th anniversary commemorative edition published by Life Magazine.

Applicants for the Ross Vasta Memorial Scholarship can be incoming freshman or continuing students at SUNY Brockport who show academic promise. Preference will go to students who are the first in their families to attend college.