Education

The HV UGRR Scholarship

In the mid-1800s, Josiah Huntoon and William Van Rensalier, white and black together, were not only abolitionists helping escaping slaves, they broke racial barriers by living in the same neighborhood and being close friends all of their lives. 

To honor his devoted friend, Huntoon, a successful spice mill owner gave his engineer Van Rensalier a house for a wedding gift in 1864—just two short blocks near him.

They both showed us all how to live our entire lives with unswayable devotion to friendship beyond race. Huntoon and Van Rensalier personified the words of Gregory Roberts, “The soul has no color.” Each generation of people across our nation are inspired to morally live this powerful legacy.

The HV UGRR Foundation has established an annual College Scholarship to honor young men and women who carry forward the exemplified dignity of the Huntoon and Van Rensalier legacy. 

The HV UGRR Foundation’s Educational Scholarship is open to students residing in the cities of Paterson or Passaic, New Jersey.

The next scholarship application window will be opening soon. Sign up for our newsletter or call 858-356-4236 for more information.