The Eye-Bank recognizes outstanding students with the Young Ambassador Scholarship in Memory of Christopher Nordquist. The annual $3,000 award to an eligible student is made possible through private contributions given to The Eye-Bank in memory of Christopher, who was two when he died and left the gift of sight.
Scholarship Details
- Annual scholarship award of $3,000.
- Supported by private contributions in memory of Christopher Nordquist.
- Aimed at promoting awareness about eye, organ, and tissue donation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Residency within The Eye-Bank’s service area (New York City, Long Island, and the lower Hudson Valley).
- 25 years of age or younger, enrolled in a 2 or 4-year college, university, trade, or technical school for the current academic year.
- Participation in an educational or public service initiative promoting eye, organ, and tissue donation.
Application Process
- Complete and submit the online Scholarship Application by the deadline of May 15th.
- Write a 1-2 page essay describing participation in an initiative promoting donation awareness.
- Provide two references from current educational institution and a current official transcript.
- Submit an acceptance letter from the intended post-secondary institution for high school seniors.
Through the years, his mother Andrea Nordquist has shared the story of their family’s loss and subsequent decision to donate Christopher’s corneas in hopes of increasing awareness of the good that eye donation can do. In this way, Christopher became one of The Eye-Bank’s first Young Ambassadors. The Scholarship in his memory is intended to encourage young people to pursue learning and to help spread the message about the priceless gift almost anyone can leave after death – the gift of sight through eye donation.