Christopher Steadman '96
After many years serving the communities of New Lebanon, NY, and Winchester, NH as a volunteer firefighter, Christopher Steadman ’96 is establishing a scholarship to support fellow volunteers who are interested in advancing their careers. The time, effort, and expense of becoming a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical service provider can delay or prevent an individual’s ability to complete a college degree or acquire new skills to change a career path. The Christopher Steadman ‘96 Scholarship fund will provide flexible funding for community volunteers to complete their degree at Empire State University.
Impact
The Christopher Steadman ‘96 Scholarship was established in 2025 through the generosity of Christopher Steadman ‘96. The scholarship is available to students with demonstrated financial need who serve as on-call or volunteer firefighters or emergency medical service providers (EMS). Associates, Bachelor’s, or Master’s programs, as well as professional certifications in emergency management-related fields, are eligible. Students must provide a letter from their chief or ranking officer certifying that they have been an active member of their department for at least 1 year. Students must live in New York, Vermont, or New Hampshire, or in areas of Connecticut, Maine, or Massachusetts that border NY, NH, and VT, and whose departments provide and receive mutual aid with those areas. Secondary consideration is given to students who work in the building trades or farming. Awards are open to students who were injured in the line of duty and are unable to continue in their prior occupation and/or continue as a firefighter or EMS personnel. If no eligible students remain, awards may be made to students with financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
Awards are variable and can cover up to eight (8) credits per term, including the cost of tuition and fees, for fall, spring, and summer term enrollments. Awards are renewable through the completion of a student’s initial degree program. Students must remain actively enrolled in two out of the three available terms per year, be active and in good standing with their department, and resubmit the certification from their chief or ranking officer to remain eligible. Students who lose eligibility may reapply for the scholarship in subsequent years.