FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Lea Ann Erickson
P: 508.929.8018
F: 508.929.8142
June 23, 2008
(Worcester, Mass) — Worcester State College alumni and families made surprise announcements of donations totaling more than $100,000 to fund endowed scholarships Saturday, May 30 as part of Reunion Weekend. These special announcements, made during annual reunion dinners, ensured that Reunion Weekend for the classes of 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, and 1973 made College history.
For those in the classes of 1953 and 1958, celebrating their 55th and 50th reunions, respectively, the reasons for rejoicing were many. Michael P. and Nancy Y. Moran of Huntington, N.Y., the son and daughter-in-law of alumni Donald P. ’58 and Mary (Walsh) ’57 Moran of Worcester, made a surprise announcement at the 1958 class dinner. As a way to honor Donald and Mary, Michael and Nancy established The Donald and Mary Moran Endowed Scholarship. Meanwhile, Francis J. Crimmins of East Dennis formally announced The Francis Crimmins Endowed Scholarship, which he has created in honor of his 50th reunion and as a way to reciprocate all of the opportunities his alma mater afforded him.
At the 1953 class dinner, alumnus Robert E. Mullin, Ed.D., of New York City announced his creation of an endowed scholarship, The Eileen and William Mullin Memorial Scholarship, that honors his beloved parents and the faith they placed in education. “My good fortunes may not have transpired were it not for my parents’ expectations and encouragement that I attend college,” Mullins said. He was followed by the family members of alumnus James P. McSherry, Ed.D., of Cambridge, who shared the news of the creation of the Jim McSherry ’53 Endowed Scholarship as a surprise tribute to Jim in honor of his 55th reunion.
They join classmate Mary Jane Howard and her husband, Don, a member of the class of 1951, who established an endowed scholarship in honor of Mary Jane’s 55th reunion. “We’re hoping it will help students go to college. They’re not going to have the GI Bill like I did,” Don Howard said.
“These extraordinary gifts made by, and in honor of, individuals celebrating their 50th and 55th reunions are a historical milestone for the College,” said President Janelle C. Ashley. “More importantly, they are remarkable acts of kindness by wonderful and philanthropic people. We are truly blessed to have such special individuals in the Worcester State College family.”
About 200 alumni from classes of 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, and 1973 gathered on the WSC campus for a weekend of reminiscing, reuniting, and rejoicing. Reunion Weekend began on Friday, May 30 with the 15th Annual Alumni Scholarship Golf Tournament, which has raised $250,000 in scholarship aid. The annual Golden Grad Luncheon, which honored WSC alumni who graduated in 1958, 1953, 1948, 1943, 1938, and 1933, offered an elegant end to the festivities.
Private donations by WSC alumni have been instrumental in growing the Worcester State Foundation endowment. At its April meeting, the Worcester State Foundation announced that the endowment surpassed the $13 million mark this year. The foundation awarded $434,721 in scholarship assistance in fiscal year 2007.
###