Today marks the 10th anniversary of Jerry Barsha’s passing, and we still all miss our dad so much. It is a comfort, however, to share news like this with all of you. One of our recipients has responded to us about what our scholarship has meant to him.
As you may know, it has been awhile since we have organized an event for The Jerry Barsha Memorial Foundation and recently we have had to say goodbye to our cherished Onondaga Community College associate Kelly Venturini, who has guided us through the scholarship set-up process, as well championing our annual events. We wish you well, Kelly, in your next endeavor! Before Kelly left, she sent us a letter from our most recent Jerry Barsha Foundation recipient, Ezra Bale. We were so moved by the letter Ezra sent, that we decided to publish it for all of you to read. We are happy to know that our father’s legacy continues to inspire and support future electronic media students. Here is Ezra’s letter:
To the Barsha Family—
My name is Ezra Bale, I am a sophomore in the EMC Department and a recipient of the scholarship your family has so generously provided in honor of the late Professor Jerry Barsha. I will have to admit, I know very little about Professor Barsha; but from what I have read, I can tell that he was more than a talented broadcaster and journalist, he was also a good man who I’m sure made a great impact on the students he taught at OCC. It’s clear to me he cared a great deal for this department, its students, and their futures. From the existence of this scholarship and the foundation that bears his name, it’s evident to me that you all care a great deal for us, the EMC department and its students, as well, and for that I thank you. Before I can carry on any further, I just want to express my gratitude and thanks for your continuation of the care that Professor Barsha showed this department and its students, myself included.
I’m a West Genesee High School graduate, but my roots are not in Syracuse. I was born in Orange County, New York, about a two-hour drive from New York City, and I’ve done a lot of moving around since then. But ever since I was young, I had a love for stories and storytelling, particularly in the world of film. Along with writing, it’s something I grew a passion for, and in time, I found myself wanting to become somebody who tells quality stories through the art of film and television as a director. I know there are better stories that I can write out there, and I want to be a part of telling them. To achieve this goal, I thought it would be smart for me to build savings and take a reasonable career before pursuing my passion, and I had always had an interest in the US Navy. During my senior year of high school, it was my intention to apply to Annapolis, but after an injury at work messed up my shoulder, the Navy was off the table. And though I still suffer the pain from that injury, I’m thankful for it, because it brought me to OCC and, in time, the EMC department.
For the sake of time, I won’t go on in full detail about my eventual entrance into the EMC department, but I would like to take a moment to talk about the financial situation that this scholarship helped me get out of. As you’re probably aware, the state of New York has a program for reduced tuition known as the Excelsior Scholarship. Through a series of unfortunate paperwork mistakes and bureaucratic blunders, I am now a former holder of that scholarship. This was tough news, because I found myself in a position where I’d likely have to drop out because I wouldn’t have been able to afford this semester. I was panicked. But then I reached out to Professor Mike Kaminski and the EMC department, and they moved heaven and earth to ensure that my tuition was covered. Thanks to the Barsha scholarship and the efforts of this department, I’m able to continue classes here at OCC unencumbered and I can finish my degree in the spring.
Now that I’m going to be able to finish on time, I plan to transfer out of OCC and get my bachelor’s in production, specifically for film and or television. Being able to finish this degree and leave Syracuse is a huge deal to me. Although I have a love for this city, and I am thankful for the impact it has had on my life, I feel the need to grow and branch out. I want to go where the opportunity and the work is and I want to get out there and be a part of the storytelling and the production process. I’m looking at colleges in Boston, New York City, Atlanta, and Los Angeles; and I hope to be able to transfer successfully next fall.
All of that story about my life to say this— I’m so thankful for the EMC department, and I know that Professor Jerry Barsha was a part of building this department to what it is today. And from the care that the current faculty gives for its students, I can only imagine how kind and helpful he must have been. So once again, I’d like to thank you for continuing your support of this department, and by extent for supporting me and investing in my future by providing this scholarship and for taking an interest in me and my future and what I want to do. I know it is something I will never forget, and I will always be so thankful for it.
Sincerely,
Ezra J. Bale
Thank YOU, Ezra Bale, for this amazing letter.
Debra, Cynthia, Amy and Janice Barsha