ANA establishes new college scholarship for YN members

Board of Governors hears report on scholarship during executive session

The Board of Governors for the American Numismatic Association held a teleconference in executive session on Tuesday, June 10, 2014. The board heard a report about a new college scholarship, appointed a new treasurer and accepted a bid for a new roof for the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum, among other business.

The ANA, through the Young Numismatists committee, established an annual college scholarship worth $1,000 for a graduating high school senior who is also a member of the ANA to use at the university, community college or trade school of the student’s choice. The winner will be chosen based on numismatic merit and financial need.

The first scholarship, graciously underwritten by Brian Fanton, ANA YN Committee chair, and Walter Ostromecki, ANA president, will be awarded for the 2015 school year.

“The ANA is dedicated to education, and with the establishment of this scholarship we’ll be able to help our Young Numismatists afford the ever-increasing costs of higher education,” Ostromecki said. “This will also place the ANA’s name ‘out there’ on the list of other businesses and philanthropic organizations who provide college scholarship assistance.”

The scholarship fund will be established separate from the Young Numismatist program. To raise money for the fund, special lots will be auctioned off at the annual Summer Seminar YN Auctions. For the Session I event on June 24, a gold 1-ounce Canadian Maple Leaf bullion coin will be auctioned. For the Session II event on July 1, a lot donated by Ostromecki, which features a Spanish Shipwreck Silver 8 Reales from the 1500s, will be auctioned.

In other business, longtime ANA Treasurer Larry Baber announced that he’ll be stepping down from his position on June 30. Baber will be serving a 23-month mission in the Marshall Islands for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Baber added that he plans to return to the ANA in a volunteer capacity once his mission is over.

Gerome Walton, who has served as an assistant treasurer for the past 26 years after first being appointed in 1988, will take over Baber’s position officially on July 1. Walton has also served as a museum volunteer.

“He’s been associated with the ANA for many years. He’s very knowledgeable of what’s going on with the finances of the Association. The board made a great selection,” Baber said.

“Gerome and Larry have worked together on budgetary issues in the past, which will mean a smooth transition,” Ostromecki said. “Gerome is very well versed on the ANA’s financial portfolio and operating budget. He’ll do a great job as the new ANA treasurer.”

The Board of Governors also accepted a bid from Reliable Roofing System of Colorado Springs to replace the roof on the Money Museum at a cost of $71,516.

The Board of Governors will next meet in open session at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, during the Chicago World’s Fair of Money in Rosemont, Illinois.

The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its 25,500 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of education and outreach programs, as well as its museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or go to www.money.org.