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The State Education Department has awarded the 2010 Marge A. Tierney Scholarship Award to Ms. Donna Robbins of Niagara Falls, NY.Ìý Ms. Robbins is a graduate student in the Rehabilitation Counseling program at State University of New York at Buffalo.

This scholarship was established in memory of Marge A. Tierney, a State Education Department employee whose career in vocational rehabilitation spanned 33 years.Ìý Marge was a leader in the field of rehabilitation and a strong advocate for people with disabilities.Ìý Her career was dedicated to the development of quality services aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.Ìý Under Marge’s leadership as the Director of District Office Administration from 1999-2003, 63,313 individuals with disabilities were placed in jobs.Ìý To honor Marge’s achievements and dedication, one student is selected each year to receive the scholarship to help defray the costs of tuition, books, and other college-related expenses.

Ms. Robbins has been involved in the field of rehabilitation both personally and professionally for about five years.Ìý She knows first hand how important it is for individuals who have experienced a serious injury to get back to work and regain their confidence. She is passionate about helping individuals with disabilities to discover their uniqueness and meet their goals.Ìý Ms. Robbins believes she can be a role model and inspiration, and will use her experiences in her future work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor to help others.

Recipients of the Marge A. Tierney Scholarship Award receive a citation and $1,000 check.