Russo Scholarship Award

Who may apply for a Foundation Graduate Student Scholarship? Any U.S. citizen who is a graduate student currently enrolled and seeking a graduate degree in human resources, labor and industrial relations, public administration or political science with a strong and documented interest in the public sector is encouraged to apply. Students currently working in government agencies will receive preference as well as National PELRA members.

Anthony Tony Russo was a pioneer and giant in the field of public sector collective bargaining, and in the creation and growth of National PELRA.

Tony Russo served the City of New York in various labor relations capacities for 43 years, under 7 different mayors, retiring as the Director of Labor Relations for New York City in 1979.  Tony directly negotiated contracts for New York City -- he and his staff were responsible for regularly negotiating and administering some 99 separate collective bargaining agreements.

In 1971, Tony Russo suggested that National PELRA be created, and for a decade thereafter was perhaps National PELRA’s greatest public spokesman and supporter.  Tony was a founding member of National PELRA, and served on its first four Boards of Directors.

A staunch and vocal supporter of public sector management, Tony repeatedly urged negotiators representing public entities to stand united and stand strong in the face of repeated union personal and political attacks.

For the first 10 years of National PELRA’s existence, Tony Russo was, indeed, the heart and soul of National PELRA and a larger than life champion of public negotiators everywhere.  We all are honored to follow in Tony Russo’s groundbreaking footsteps.

What is the amount of a scholarship? $3,000

Selected recipients of the Russo Scholarship Award should be prepared to briefly share with the membership at the National PELRA Annual Training Conference how the scholarship impacted their educational and professional pursuits.