Scholarship for Black Watchmaking Students
Time does not discriminate, but Black watchmakers are underrepresented to a large degree both in the historic and modern watchmaking industries. A more diverse industry will lead to a stronger industry with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, and in-turn advance the art and science of horology. The Horological Society of New York is committed to ensuring the success of Black watchmaking students in every way.
Benjamin Banneker depicted on a 1943 mural by Maxime Seelbinder in the Washington D.C. Recorder of Deeds Building.
Benjamin Banneker
Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) was a self-taught mathematician, astronomer and horologist, who built one of the first wooden mechanical clocks in North America in 1753. Banneker’s clock was modeled after an imported pocket watch that he disassembled and studied. The hour-striking clock kept precise time and ran for 50 years before it was destroyed by fire. In addition to his clockmaking work, Banneker wrote a series of almanacs, demonstrating his vast knowledge of astronomy. Today, Banneker is honored with many schools, streets, recreational and cultural facilities named after him. In 1980, the US Postal Service honored Banneker with a postage stamp.
DETAILS
Any Black student who has been accepted or is currently studying at a full-time watchmaking school in the USA is eligible for the Benjamin Banneker Scholarship. Prospective students may also apply, with the understanding that the scholarship is contingent on their enrollment at a full-time watchmaking school. The scholarship is awarded every April. Awards up to $5,000 are available.
To apply, students should email a letter in PDF form to the Trustees of the Horological Society of New York that includes a biography, explanation of their motivation to study watchmaking and an explanation of how this scholarship would benefit the applicant. A resume is required, and reference letters are recommended. The application period is January 1 to March 1 of every year.
The Benjamin Banneker Scholarship for Black Watchmaking Students is made possible by a generous donation from an anonymous donor and the Cornell Watch Company.
AWARDEES
2024
Christian Hill
Paris Junior College Watchmaking Program
William Duncan
North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking
2023
Mary Raso
Lititz Watch Technicum
Jose Weinberger
Nicolas G. Hayek Watchmaking School
2022
Andre Booker
North Seattle College Watch Technology Institute, Washington
2021
Antonio Ledbetter
Paris Junior College Watchmaking Program, Texas
Scholarships will be disbursed based on the proportion of the recognized educational program the student has completed. Additional funds will be disbursed at the beginning of each quarter/semester/section, in proportion to how much of the program that quarter/semester/section represents.
If a student leaves the program before completion disbursements will be paused. If said student does re-enroll in a watchmaking program within 2 years, their scholarship disbursements will restart. If said student does not re-enroll in a watchmaking program within 2 years the balance of the award is forfeited. If the same student enrolls again in a watchmaking program after 2 years they are not disqualified from applying to HSNY for additional scholarships.
For example, if a student is enrolled in a 2 year program consisting of 8 quarters, and is awarded a scholarship after 4 quarters of enrollment, the initial dispersement would be 50% of their total award. Additional quarterly disbursements would be 12.5% of their total award.
Exempt from the scholarship are board members, trustees, fellows of the Horological Society of New York, and their family members. Grant recipients will be asked to complete a W-9 form before receiving their gift (check) for tax purposes. For more information, contact us.