A Legacy 60 Years in the Making: The Anthony A Steere Family Memorial Scholarship Fund

A Legacy 60 Years in the Making

Tony Steere ’61 and the Anthony A. Steere Family Memorial Scholarship Fund

Anthony A. “Tony” Steere Jr. ‘61 When Tony Steere ’61 received a provisional acceptance in 1957 to enroll at Cushing Academy, a seed was planted. Describing himself as a “work in progress” in the classroom, Tony remembers reading the letter and acknowledging to himself that Cushing had taken a chance on him. He thought, “One day, I want to repay that debt.”

That idea stayed with Tony over the next 60 years. He also noticed the steeply rising cost of private high school tuition, remembering that as a freshman, “I helped clean Ash House as a scholarship student, when tuition was $1,500.” Tony’s experience showed him the transformative power of a Cushing education, and he wanted to make that possible for students who could not otherwise aff ord it.

Tony shared his vision for partial scholarships for multiple students each year, and the idea came to fruition in early 2019 with his creation of the Anthony A. Steere Family Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund, which he endowed with a $1 million gift, will provide in perpetuity three partial scholarships each year for freshman and sophomore students from the United States. “Cushing is deeply grateful for Tony’s extraordinary generosity and his landmark gift, which provides greatly needed scholarship aid for students,” says Head of School Dr. Randy Bertin. “In establishing this endowed fund, Tony has ensured this legacy of commitment and support will be available for generations of students to come.”

Tony was born in Rhode Island and raised in Hamden, Connecticut, a town known for hockey. As Tony relays the story, his academics were lacking and a new mindset was needed to prepare for the future. He applied to two prep schools and was accepted at both; a visit convinced him that Cushing was the right choice. His father, Anthony A. Steere Sr. ’32, also known as Tony, had transferred to Cushing as a sophomore and had frequently told his children how much he had loved his experience, sharing his memories of life on campus where he played football, ran track, and made frequent use of the thenexistent campus ski jump. The stories made an impression on Tony and on his younger sister, Diane Steere Nobles ’68, who later followed her father and brother to Ashburnham. This scholarship fund honors the family’s Cushing experience by paying it forward.

Anthony A. “Tony” Steere ‘32 Diane Steere Nobles ‘68

Taking advantage of the opportunities Cushing off ered, Tony achieved his desired success in the classroom and both on and off the ice, including as a member of the track and football teams like his father. He especially credits faculty members Bill Davis and Dave Halvorsen, his hockey coaches, for their pivotal roles.

After Cushing, Tony enrolled at Cornell University, where he played limited hockey and continued to stress academics. After four great years, he graduated from the College of Agriculture (now the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences), majoring in horticulture with a minor in entomology. Tony applied to several graduate schools and accepted a fellowship at University of Maryland, where he received his master’s and doctorate, working on plant growth regulators in horticulture.

Upon ending his academic career, Tony joined the family business, Hamden Garden Center, selling all sorts of agricultural supplies. Following his parents’ deaths, he continued the business for many years before selling it and returning to Rhode Island, moving to Narragansett, where his late mother’s family roots run deep. As Tony settled in, he took a job as a driver and aide in the town’s school transportation system. Tony notes that the connections with the students and their families in a small town made it “a great retirement job.” Now fully retired, he enjoys volunteering with Meals on Wheels and fi nds satisfaction in being able to help Cushing students and others.

“Cushing is a wonderful school, and the campus today is beautiful,” said Tony. “I am pleased to help current and future Penguins receive the benefi ts of a Cushing education, as my father and sister and I did.”