Jack Ramza ‘22 has been named Syracuse University’s Hunter Brooks Watson Scholar for the 2021-2022 academic year.

This is a scholarship which is awarded annually to a student who exemplifies the life, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit of Hunter Brooks Watson, for whom the scholarship is named. Jack Ramza, like each Hunter Watson Scholar before him, was selected by a university panel for his enthusiasm for and deep involvement in the Syracuse community. Jack has been described by Linda Dickerson Hartsock, the Executive Director of the Blackstone LaunchPad, as “both a technologist and a creative - a rare combination, like Hunter”.

Jack is a senior at Syracuse University studying accounting and advertising, with a plan to pursue a graduate degree in business analytics. He is originally from Kansas City, Missouri and chose to attend Syracuse for its dual-degree opportunities and to experience life on the East Coast. In addition to being named the Hunter Brooks Watson Scholar for 2021-2022, Ramza also serves his Syracuse community as a Remembrance Scholar and has been honored with the Syracuse University Unsung Hero Award, which is an award recognizing individuals who have made a positive impact on their community. 

Ramza has been busy leaving his mark on the campus since his freshman year, when he joined OrangeSeeds - a first-year leadership empowerment program at Syracuse. He now serves as a co-director of the program helping first-year students navigate residential life and online activities. In addition to being a community leader, Jack is a promising young entrepreneur. In 2019, he and his entrepreneurial team had the opportunity to travel to San Francisco to pitch their idea of urban sustainable farms and right-sized markets in the Hult Prize regional competition. 

Jack is esteemed by his professors and peers. Professor Barbara Jones, who worked with Ramza on a faculty venture titled StayBillety, “gives him five-star reviews for his talent, work ethic and dedication”. Of being named a Hunter Brooks Watson Scholar, Jack says he is “extremely humbled to be this year’s Hunter Brooks Watson Scholar”. When learning more of the legacy of Hunter Watson, Jack said “it was quite evident how much my passions and experiences over the last few years lined up with this position and great honor. I can’t wait to get started and promise to dedicate the next couple of semesters to Hunter’s Fund and the LaunchPad”.