Born in Czechoslovakia, Frank Kraus served in WorldWar II as a lieutenant in the Republic Army. He then moved to Mulhouse, France where he earned a degree in Textile Engineering with the expectation of taking over his father’s textile business. While Frank was on a business trip to the United States, Hitler invaded Poland and Frank lost everything. In the U.S., Frank pursued a successful business career and was a tireless leader in the community until his death in 2003. He was president of the Mahwah Board of Health, a trustee ofValley Hospital for 12 years and member of the Board of Directors of theWest Bergen Mental Health Center. At Ramapo, Mr. Kraus served on the board of the Friends of Ramapo and received the Distinguished Citizens award in 1995. His wife Becky is a native of Raleigh, NC. She is a professional artist and has worked for Conde Nast andVogue magazine and currently devotes her talents to writing and illustrating children’s books. Her work has been exhibited throughout New Jersey. Becky is active with many non-profit organizations, including Ramapo College where she is a member of the Friends Board and a major supporter of the Salameno Spiritual Center.
“I am honored to receive this scholarship. It will encourage me to continue to work hard, be dedicated, and be a leader. I am so thankful to be awarded this scholarship. Lead, don’t follow. Be the voice, not the echo.” Nicholas Licameli
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BECKY AND FRANK KRAUS SCHOLARSHIP
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ong-time Mahwah residents and Ramapo supporters Rebecca and Frank Kraus created this endowed scholarship in 1988. The purpose of the Kraus Scholarship is to recognize an upperclassman who is a campus leader. “We were both very much in favor of Ramapo becoming a part of the Mahwah community,” said Frank Kraus, who had served as mayor of Mahwah in the 1980s. “The College has been great for Mahwah.”
Nicholas Licameli is a Biology major enrolled in Ramapo’s program that leads to the doctorate in Physical Therapy. He has earned a 3.90 grade point average. He has worked at a number of physical and sports therapy offices and at a gymnastics school. Nicholas is a student ambassador for the Ramapo Admissions Office. “As a student ambassador I gain practice dealing with people of all ages, which has prepared me for the field of physical therapy,” Nicholas says. “In my volunteer and employment hours at physical therapy facilities, I have noticed that the best physical therapists are the ones who have exceptional people skills.” Nicholas is from Nutley, NJ.