Sister Judith Savard Study Abroad Scholarship

In honor and recognition of Judith Savard, RSHM, Marymount Manhattan awards the Sr. Judith Savard Fellowship to an Art or Art History major to study art abroad.  Sr. Judith led classes in art history, studio art, and graphic design, in addition to serving as chair of the Art Department for many years.  The fellowship provides financial assistance for a qualified Art or Art History major to study abroad for the purpose of enriching his or her academic experience.

The eligibility requirements for the Sr. Judith Savard Fellowship are:

Art or Art History major and completion of a minimum of two semesters of full-time study (at least 24 credits) at MMC with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. If a transfer student, completion of at least one full-time semester at MMC (24 total credits, 12 of which must be from MMC) with a minimum cumulative GPA at MMC of 3.0 is required. The student must demonstrate financial need according to criteria established by the Financial Aid Office.

 

Art or Art History majors, who will study abroad during the Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 semesters may apply for the fellowship. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2026.

 

Applicants must have submitted MMC’s study abroad application. In addition, applicants must send to studyabroad@mmm.edu a statement of purpose, and two recommendations from MMC faculty, one of whom must be a member of either the art or art history department.

 

Please send inquiries to studyabroad@mmm.edu

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Meet Sabina Abdow

MMC recently named Sabina Abdow ’26, a BFA Studio Practices Art major and Art Therapy minor, the 2025 recipient of its Sister Judith Savard Study Abroad Fellowship. Abdow is spending the spring term in Japan, studying fine arts at Temple University’s Tokyo campus. It is the first time the fellowship has been awarded since Covid-19 disrupted international travel in 2020.

“Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine—not just to experience a new culture, but to grow as an artist and a person. This scholarship has made that dream a reality, allowing me to fully immerse myself in Japan’s art scene, gain new creative influences, and expand my understanding of how art can connect people across cultures.”

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Meet Kate Cheney

 Kate Cheney ’20, Art History major with minors in Law & Ethics and Business Management, participated in a five- week archaeology program in Cyprus this summer, thanks to the Sister Judith Savard Study Abroad Fellowship.

 “I participated in the Makounta-Voules Archaelogical Project excavating a prehistoric chalcolithic site in Cyprus,” says Cheney. “Participating in a field school provided me with invaluable hands-on experience with archaeology. We were in the field every morning before the sun was up and excavated until the afternoon. The afternoon was then spent washing and sorting our finds from the day. It was beneficial to experience not only hands-on archaeological field work, but also the interaction of archaeology and the local communities.”

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Meet Madeleine Arend 

 Class of 2019, Major in Art/ Photography; Minors in Art History  and Business, Recipient of the Sr. Judith Savard Study Abroad Fellowship, Summer 2018  

 “My experience studying in Florence, Italy at Studio Arts College International  (SACI) was one of incredible value to both my academic and personal growth. Being able to immerse myself in an unfamiliar way of life, with foreign customs and culture bolstered my sense of confidence and intellectual abilities. This is the first time I’ve gotten the chance to venture abroad, and it’s given me the confidence to continue to journey beyond the familiar. Without the Sister Judith Savard Fellowship, my time abroad would never have been more than a dream.” 

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Sr. Judith Savard “It’s funny how certain people never leave your life, especially people you encounter when you are very young and help you on the way to being the person you want to be or are trying to be…that the small achievements you make are, in part, a testament to that legacy of being impressed by someone.” Ellie Ga, artist, class of 1998, writing about Sister Judith.

 

“I will always remember Sister Judith as a tough cookie with a warm heart…she taught me that there need not be any pretensions in learning and appreciating art.  She taught me that art can be embraced by all, regardless of socio-economic standing or any categories created to perpetuate a system of exclusivity.” Dianne Morales,’04