Index
Scholarships
The J. Edward and Marie M. Hacker Scholarship
The J. Edward and Marie M. Hacker Scholarship was established in 2007 by James E. Hacker, Class of 1981, in honor of his parents. It is awarded with preference given to a student who is pursuing either a major or a minor in music.
J. Edward Hacker, was born in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. He began studying trumpet at an early age and graduated valedictorian of his high school. He received his B.S. from Ithaca College and earned a master’s in music education from the University of Iowa, where he was selected trumpet soloist with the University Concert Band. He then toured with the U.S. Air Force Band during World War II, composing and arranging concert band music. After the War, Ed became music director at Utica Free Academy. In 1953, the maestro of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra heard him perform and invited him to join without any formal audition.
Ed eventually returned to Utica and married Marie Moscati. In 1968, he became Supervisor of Music for the Utica City School District and held that position until his retirement in 1983. During his lifetime, Ed also served as president of the New York Music Association, first president of the Utica Opera Guild, and first trumpet with the Utica Symphony Orchestra. He died in 2009 at the age of 85.
Marie (Moscati) Hacker was born in Utica, New York, where she graduated from Proctor High School at the age of 16. She went on to attend the Rochester School for Dental Hygiene, following which she returned to the Mohawk Valley where she worked in the Utica and New Hartford public school systems, and later in several private practices. She performed with Ed for a season with the Little Falls Symphony, playing cello. Marie died in 2010.
James E. Hacker, Class of 1981, majored in government and played varsity football. After graduating from Hamilton, he earned a J.D. degree from Albany Law School of Union University. Although Jim Hacker possessed no discernable musical talent, this fund was established in grateful appreciation of his parents and to honor their longtime commitment to music and music education.
June 2014
Please note: The named scholarships profiled on these pages are awarded as part of the College’s need-based financial aid packages. These funds help ensure the Hamilton Promise of keeping education affordable through meeting a student’s full demonstrated financial need.
Materials published here were diligently researched and written by students who strived for historical accuracy.
