DONOR IMPACT
STATEMENT
Charlotte MacGregor ’26
Nursing major
Wants to be an ICU nurse
Field hockey team member Winner of First Gen Scholarship
ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION
Kyram Pou Jr. ’25
Communication major
Wants to be a digital media manager
Board of Trustees Student Trustee
Two-time scholarship winner
Lily Morgan ’25
Criminal justice and psychology major
Wants to be a lawyer
President of Student Government Association
Winner of two scholarships, Academic Achievement Award
Andja Kola ’26
Psychology and liberal studies major
Wants to become a psychiatrist
President of Active Minds Club
Winner of four scholarships, Academic Excellence awards
Alexandra Jean-Louis ’26
Business administration major
Wants to own a franchise
Two-time scholarship winner
Foundation President reflects on impact of philanthropic giving
FOUNDATION PRESIDENT AND UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT VICE PRESIDENT THOMAS MCNAMARA ’94
SAT DOWN WITH UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
ANDREA DEVER TO TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF GIVING AT WORCESTER STATE.
As we celebrate 30 years of the Foundation, we know philanthropic investments from donors 30 years ago are still helping today’s students at Worcester State succeed and thrive. Why is it important for the Foundation to continue growing its endowment?
It comes back to compounding impact. I’ve had the benefit of seeing our endowment grow all these years to a level where we’re starting to have an impact on campus. I still get the question, although less frequently than earlier in my career, “Why Worcester State? Because aren’t you fully funded?” We receive a very small but very important allocation from the state each year, but it accounts for just under 30% of our total operating budget. This allocation helps keep the lights on, but it isn’t enough, and that is why our student fees have increased over the years.
Now, the power of the Foundation and our endowment is that they provide those items that are essential for a student to stay in school, to be active while at school, engage in internships, and access state-of-theart equipment. The endowment provides opportunities for the students to have these essentials, which many students take for granted on other campuses. Over the years we’ve seen that impact on our campus, in our labs and on our playing fields and certainly in the students who benefit from the amenities that are funded by our donors. The endowment provides that magic.
The endowment comprises all kinds of different gifts of different sizes from a variety of donors. Can you share some of the bright spots or success stories that come to mind when you think about our history of giving?
I love this question. I’ve been blessed in my tenure to have interactions with countless alumni and friends. Each endowment tells a story and is very personal for the person who’s creating it.
One of the first endowments ever created for Worcester State was
through Olive Borgatti ’39: the original Spag’s Scholarship which predated my tenure. Initially, the funds were in the hundred thousand dollar range. At that time, we had never seen a gift of that size. That fund alone has grown to close to half a million dollars, providing hundreds of scholarships to students over time. It goes back to what Worcester State is all about, helping the local community with a hand up.
Every endowment tells a story of donors honoring someone special in their life or leaving a legacy after someone passes. One that comes to mind is the Jill Ann Bilodeau ’97 Memorial Nursing Scholarship. It was early in my career and I’ll never forget it because the family came into my office. They had just lost their daughter in a horrible accident. They wanted to find a way to honor her. With tears in their eyes, the entire family talked through how they wanted to have it happen. At first, they just wanted to raise a few thousand dollars to support nursing students, as Jill was a nursing student. Fast forward to today, it has grown into one of our larger endowments and the family continues to raise money through a road race and a golf tournament and has family and friends contribute to the fund to this day.
One more example is Bob and Barbara O’Brien, who established four scholarships to honor each of their parents. They felt that students didn’t need the highest grades, but they wanted to reward industriousness above all.
What do you envision for the short- and long-term future of the Foundation?
In the short term, the most important need is to build the unrestricted portion of our foundation. It’s the most difficult to raise because obviously if someone’s making a significant investment, they’d like to restrict it in some fashion, understandably so. But the hope and trust someone puts in us by providing funds, usually with a planned gift, benefits expanding the campus footprint, enrollment needs, and merit-based scholarships to name a few.
For long-term goals, the Foundation has worked with three presidents over these last 30 years and each president’s initiatives have lifted the university up in different ways. Through President Maloney, the focus
is on experiential learning and supporting the holistic needs of our students. Close to 70% of the endowment is restricted to scholarship aid. Our ability from a long-term perspective, to diversify that a bit, to invest in endowments for research, equipment, internships, study abroad programs, and stipends for students engaged in different activities would help create a much more robust student experience.
Can you talk about the changes and the impact you’ve seen with the Foundation?
When I started here Dr. Ghosh was our president and I benefited from a great mentor, Ken Heekin, who was my boss at the time. Dr. Ghosh and Ken brought the advancement team to another level. Prior to that, there were some committed individuals and team members like Linda Doherty whose name resonates with many of our alums because she helped create some early alumni activities and phon-a-thon programs. I was on the Alumni Association’s Advisory Board just prior to my start, and we helped transfer over $60,000 in funds raised primarily through alumni volunteers to take advantage of the first endowment incentive program. That particular change allowed for the university to be more strategic and grow the campus.
As an alumnus, the largest impact has been the physical structures on campus. We’ve had many physical transformations, but at the same time, we are really still doing the same exact thing we’ve done now for 150 years, providing impact and changing lives. The foundation, for the last 30 years, has had a hand in that impact.
The Worcester State Foundation is turning 30!
Worcester State University is honoring the 30th anniversary of the Worcester State Foundation. Since its establishment in 1994, the Foundation has raised approximately $58.7 million and maintains a healthy $47 million endowment to advance academic excellence and support student success. As the university celebrates its 150th anniversary, we are showcasing the history and impact of the Foundation in this special issue of the Donor Impact Statement.
Beyond scholarships, what are a couple of areas donors could consider funding to reflect the changing needs of students and faculty? Student scholarships will always be the pillar of what we fundraise for. Having said that, I’d love for our donor community to consider supporting a holistic approach to students. There are so many opportunities for our students through our Center for Spiritual Life, Teaching Garden, Thea’s Pantry, study abroad, and support for entrepreneurship. The world would benefit from more students engaging in workforce development, paid internships, and study abroad.
We’ve been appreciative of the support provided by the state of Massachusetts to help those students with the highest need. We’ve also been able to support some merit-based scholarships through the Presidential Scholarships. There are opportunities for what I would consider the mid-level student who has solid grades but may not qualify for as much financial aid or merit-based awards. Having some more flexible dollars to help those students with scholarships would be beneficial. That’s a missing piece of the puzzle right now. n
Advancing Opportunity and Excellence
THE WORCESTER STATE FOUNDATION HAS RAISED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS, ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, AND UNIVERSITY PRIORITIES | BY REBECCA CROSS
In 1994, the state of Massachusetts provided $250,000 of seed money to incentivize public state colleges to do what larger and private universities had been doing for centuries: establish a foundation and raise private philanthropic dollars.
What was then Worcester State College jumped at the opportunity.
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Worcester State Foundation in just three decades has transformed the campus, bolstered the education of thousands of students and enabled the university to seize one-time opportunities to grow. Today, as Worcester State University celebrates its 150th anniversary, the Foundation’s endowment now sits at close to $50 million and, each year, gives well over $1 million in direct student aid. The Foundation Board that manages the endowment includes a cross section of distinguished alumni, business leaders, and community leaders.
“The foundation has been an indispensable partner to the university, and I truly appreciate those who serve on its board,” President Barry M. Maloney said. “Through the foundation, we’ve been able to raise millions of dollars every year for university priorities, like faculty and student research, and to directly support our students.”
“The foundation and its endowment ensure that we have the sustainability to keep the school moving in the right direction.”
–Ed Sherr, Foundation Board member
As a tax-exempt charitable organization, the foundation does countless things, both large and small, for the university, from cultivating relationships with alumni and donors and managing donations, to hosting an annual golf tournament that this year had more than 200 participants and raised over $115,000 for Worcester State student scholarships and educational programming.
Prior to the foundation’s establishment, if the university wanted to purchase property, it had to go through the state—a laborious and time-consuming process. “The foundation allows us to be more nimble,” said Foundation President and University Advancement Vice President Thomas McNamara ’94.
Since its inception, the foundation has allowed the university to purchase several properties for the betterment of the university, including the president’s house, a lot that now serves as the Worcester State Teaching Garden, and Temple Emanuel. The Foundation also accepted from alumni couple Gregg ’86 and Pam Rosen ’87 the gift of a home on Chandler Street that now houses the Latino Education Institute. It has also engaged in a strategic partnership with the Worcester Center for Crafts and supported the outfitting of multiple buildings on campus.
“Throughout a normal day on campus, a student encounters 20 to 30 items here that were made possible by the foundation,” said McNamara. “Laboratories, residence halls, library, auditoriums, Thea’s Pantry. The list goes on and on.”
Local businessman and Worcester native Ed Sherr did not attend Worcester State but has always known about the institution. “Growing up, Worcester State was known as a small teachers college,” he said. Recruited to the foundation’s board in 2007, Sherr has not only seen, but had a hand in, much of the university’s growth, including the acquisition of the Temple Emanuel building and the renovation of the John F. Coughlin Memorial football field and construction of Sheehan Hall, which houses student residences and the campus dining hall. When Sherr brought his father and brother—also Worcester natives—to Sheehan Hall for lunch to show off the campus, they were amazed at the size of the
(CONTINUES PAGE 6)
Phil Day: Each year, the university celebrates one of its most generous benefactors, Phil Wasylean II, ’63, on “Phil Day,” which takes place on National Philanthropy Day. The day is filled with activities for students, and many students take the opportunity to share their thanks with donors.
Alumni Class Giving: Over the years, the Class of 1969 has given several gifts to the university, establishing three endowed scholarships. In spring 2024, in honor of their 55th reunion year, they decided to do something to help students dealing with food insecurity. They established the Class of 1969 “Sponsor a Shelf” Fund for Thea’s Pantry, which provides food and other essentials to students, staff, and faculty in need.
PHOTO BY MATT WRIGHT
campus. “They loved it. They couldn’t believe it.”
When Rosanne Matulaitis ’65 studied elementary education at Worcester State, there were only two buildings on campus. “The fact that there was a second building was wonderful because the year before I started, there was only one building,” said Matulaitis, whose father Eugene Sullivan served as the fifth president of Worcester State, from 1947 to 1970.
Over the years, she has watched the university grow, not just physically but academically. When she started at Worcester State, education was the only available degree. Now there are more than 80 majors and minors as well as numerous research and study abroad opportunities.
In its history, the foundation has supported more than 350 mini-grants for faculty and a Student Research Grant Fund, providing up to $10,000 annually to support undergraduate student research, scholarship, and creative activity.
All of that is thanks to the foundation, which now has an endowment of nearly $50 million. Sherr calls the foundation a great resource for the university. “It keeps people involved and keeps the growth of the school on a positive track,” he says. “The foundation and its endowment ensure that we have the sustainability to keep the school moving in the right direction.”
“It’s been very much a community effort,” said Steve Bostic ’77, M.Ed. ’86, who served on the Foundation Board from 2000 to 2010 and was a Trustee until 2014. “You come into those board meetings and look around the table; they’re all a who’s who. They’re all people who made things happen.”
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
From the beginning, student scholarships have been the pillar of the foundation’s support. In fact, there were scholarships in place before
“Scholarships are important because everybody should have the right to a good education.”
–Rosanne Matulaitis ’65, Foundation Board member
Golfing for Scholarships: Now entering its 32nd year, the Worcester State Foundation Golf Tournament is the university’s signature fundraising event for student scholarships. In May 2024, it raised more than $115,000. Teeing off is Gene DeFeudis, the event’s premiere sponsor.
the creation of the foundation. A few of them endure to this day, like the original Spag’s Scholarship, which is now The Olive I. (Lutz) Borgatti Endowed Scholarship.
“Scholarships are important because everybody should have the right to a good education,” says Matulaitis, who serves on the foundation’s Scholarship Committee and has started three scholarships herself.
Scholarship funds, which are managed and administered by the foundation, help more students access not only a degree but also other academic and professional opportunities.
The number of scholarships awarded to students has increased dramatically in the last few decades. Before the foundation was established, a small group of alumni with boundless dedication raised funds for scholarships. Through their hard work, the university was able to award 15 scholarships per year. Building upon their efforts, the Worcester State Foundation now awards over 400 scholarships each year.
These scholarships make a huge difference in the lives of students. “The hundreds of scholarships awarded annually help to not only recruit students but also ensure that they stay in school,” said Maloney. “Having a scholarship virtually guarantees that a student will graduate.”
Part of the reason for that is the obvious financial relief, allowing students to spend less time working to earn money and more time studying. Business major and active-duty Marine Blake Binda was able to buy a computer with the scholarship he received. Criminal justice and psychology major Lily Morgan was able to use her scholarship to afford tuition and applications to law school. The scholarship biology major Roy Karanja received allowed him to transition from a commuter to a resident student.
But another reason is less obvious. As Matulaitis puts it, getting awarded a scholarship “tells the student ‘We have your back.’” It’s a sentiment
“It’s been very much a community effort. You come into those board meetings and look around the table; they’re all a who’s who. They’re all people who made things happen.”
–Steve Bostic, ’77, M.Ed. ’86
that is echoed by students who have received scholarships.
“This is my first scholarship that I have received and it has strengthened my belief in myself,” said Lily Morgan, who received the Class of 2011 Student Leadership Scholarship. Communication major Kyram Pou Jr. said, “I am so glad to see that others have seen my financial need as well as my academic strengths.”
Andja Kola was working three jobs and maintaining the highest GPA in her class when she was awarded the Robert Ivor O’Brien Memorial Scholarship. “It feels great to get recognition as a student with a long way ahead and to know that my work is being seen,” she said.
Securing the Future
Endowment
CENTER OF INFLUENCE
“I have a passion for Worcester,” Sherr said. “It’s the type of city where there are six degrees of separation. Everybody knows everybody and takes care of everybody.”
As President and CCO of Worcester business Carl P. Sherr & Co., LLC, Sherr has developed a paid internship program at his firm that many Worcester State students have participated in. Several of these internships led to full-time jobs at the firm. Sherr praises the Worcester State students he has met and worked with. “These kids are hungry. They want to succeed,” he said. “A lot of them don’t come from great financial resources, so it’s great that we’re able to provide that assistance.”
Sherr uses the term “center of influence” to describe where he can help or encourage someone. He is seeing Worcester State develop its own center of influence in multiple arenas.
Matulaitis also sees this center of influence.
Philanthropic Support
“You give money to students and hope that it will help them,” she said. “That money is paid back to you in services that they do when they graduate. I see former students who are now doctors or the mechanic that fixes your car or attorneys or engineers.”
The students themselves are prepared to join that center of influence. Pou Jr. says the generosity of donors “inspires me to strive for excellence in my studies and to give back to my community.” Kola said that receiving a scholarship “reminded me that there are people with good intentions, willing to be near those in need like myself, and has inspired me to help others by giving back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to financially assist other students to make their dreams true.” n
Paying it forward
FOR
INTERNATIONAL
’23, SCHOLARSHIPS
STUDENT GRACIA KITENGE
HELPED
HER
STAY ON TRACK DURING THE PANDEMIC | BY NANCY
SHEEHAN
Gracia Kitenge’s journey from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Worcester State University is a testament to her resilience and the transformative power of education.
Despite the challenge of adapting to a new language and culture, Gracia found support and encouragement through the university’s faculty, staff, academic programs, and her fellow students. A special assist came when she received the The Dr. Richard E. and Dolores J. Greene International Student Human Rights Scholarship, awarded to international students from countries with documented human rights violations. It was created by alumni couple Richard Greene ’54, M.Ed. ’58, Ed.D., and his wife, the late Dolores (Manning) Greene ’55, who devoted their professional lives to education. Mrs. Greene was a teacher in elementary and adult education, and Dr. Greene was a professor and president of several colleges and universities, including St. Thomas University in Miami.
Receiving the scholarship inspired in Kitenge a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to pay it forward. She came to Worcester State in 2018 speaking almost no English and knowing no one except her sister, who had come the year before.
“We were facing a totally new world and trying to find our way through it,” she said. “The most stressful part was not knowing English, but also that I was very young. I was 17, coming here for college from Africa and they’re two very different worlds and very far away from each other. I often felt so homesick.”
Gracia said she found the Worcester State community to be especially welcoming and easily found friends to help her in her new environment. “I was surrounded by great people who were very encouraging and who helped me through that challenging new transition,” she said.
Gracia moved on to many achievements on campus as an orientation leader, a resident assistant, a Worcester State Health Ambassador,
vice-president and then president of the French Club, and a Presidential Student Ambassador. She also was active in the Black Student Union. She graduated with a degree in computer science with a double concentration in software development and data analytics and was the student speaker at the 2023 Commencement. Gracia now works as a junior data analyst reporter at UniBank and hopes to go on to graduate school.
During her time at Worcester State, Gracia also received the Anne T. O’Malley, Class of 1943 Endowed Scholarship and the Olive I. (Lutz) Borgatti Endowed Scholarship. She said the scholarships had a significant impact on her ability to afford her education, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was difficult for her family to send money. They provided peace of mind and reduced stress, she said.
Getting the scholarships also strengthened Gracia’s confidence in her ability to tackle academic challenges and stay on track to graduate. “It showed me that there were people who believed in me and were willing to invest in my education,” she said. “This psychological impact was just as meaningful as the financial support.”
The experience of receiving scholarships inspired Gracia to want to become a donor herself to help other Worcester State students. “I am forever thankful and grateful to the donors,” she said. “These scholarships have not only provided financial support but also a boost of belief in myself. Their impact will stay with me forever.” n
PHOTO
Ripple of positive effects
LAWYER ELIZABETH RESTEGHINI ’11 KNOWS FIRSTHAND THE INCREDIBLE IMPACT GIVING CAN HAVE | BY NANCY SHEEHAN
When Elizabeth (Bitar) Resteghini found out she was chosen to receive the Class of 2003 Student Leadership Scholarship at Worcester State, the effect was emotional and immediate.
“I was overwhelmed with joy. I remember crying. I was so excited. It immediately had a direct impact on me,” she said. “I was working 30 hours or more a week and going to school, so trying to balance everything was difficult. The scholarship enabled me to cut down some of my hours at work and focus more on my studies, which is so important.”
Liz graduated in 2011 with a degree in criminal justice and Spanish and went on to study at Northeastern Uni versity School of Law. She is now a corporate law senior attorney at Morse Law in Boston.
The scholarship recognized Liz’s leadership in Stu dent Government and numerous clubs and organiza tions. She has continued to be involved as a graduate, serving on the Alumni Association’s Advisory Board.
The positive impact of the scholarship extended beyond the financial benefits for her. “It showed me that people believed in me, which is an amazing feeling,” she said. “It tells you that someone
“It’s never too late for alumni to re-engage and make a positive impact.”
–Elizabeth Resteghini
is in your corner, they’re cheering you on, they’re supporting you. It gave me just that additional support and motivation to get me to the finish line and graduation.”
Being a scholarship recipient has inspired Liz to find ways to pay it forward for the next generation of Worcester State students. She was instrumental, with her fellow student leaders, in establishing the Class of 2011 Student Leadership Scholarship.
“Doing that made me feel wonderful because the students at Worcester State are so deserving,” she said. “It’s great knowing that it’s going to have a positive impact on a student who might just need a little help and someone to believe in them.”
Liz describes her time at Worcester State as a positive and transformative experience where she made many meaningful connections and memories and found a strong sense of community. She met her husband, Christopher Resteghini ’11, a fellow criminal justice major, while at Worcester State and, at graduation, received the Ella M. Whitney Award, a prestigious award recognizing qualities such as leadership, integrity and above all, participation in school activities. It was established in 1930 to honor Ella M. Whitney, who graduated in 1896 from the Worcester Normal School.
Liz believes it’s important for alumni to give back to Worcester State because she knows firsthand that it can have an incredible impact on the students and create a ripple of positive effects, she said. “A strong alumni base strengthens the reputation of Worcester State, benefiting the community, the institution, and its students,” she said. “It’s never too late for alumni to re-engage and make a positive impact.” n
Worcester State Foundation 2023-24
The Worcester State Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization that promotes the growth and progress of Worcester State University through philanthropy. With the support of generous donors and grant funders, the foundation ensures that the university has the resources it needs to thrive and maintain academic excellence. We thank our generous donors and grant funders for their support this past year. Here are the highlights for FY23-24:
University receives funding for research, nursing, student travel
Here are highlights of the new grants received in FY 24:
Each icon = $10,000
Student and Faculty Travel
$24,000
from SWEA Boston and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia
Assistant professor of health science Elinor Fondell secured a $12,000 gift from SWEA Boston and a $12,000 grant from Barbro Osher Pro Suecia for a total of $24,000 to support a collaboration that draws on the university’s study abroad programs. The funds enabled a faculty-led student trip to Sweden in July 2024.
Developing Biological Thinking and Reasoning in Children
$146,883
from the National Science Foundation Associate professor of psychology Benjamin D. Jee was awarded a grant to develop and test card games that aim to promote biological thinking and reasoning in young children. The four-year grant involves a collaboration between Dr. Jee and researchers at the University of Rochester, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the College of the Holy Cross, and Worcester’s EcoTarium.
Career and Technical Student Organizations
$589,200
from Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Assistant professor of health sciences and public health Jaime F. Vallejos successfully competed for this six-year grant that ensures the Massachusetts Health Occupations Students of America – Future Health Professionals program will remain at Worcester State, as it has for more than a decade. The program currently serves 650 students from 27 high schools across Massachusetts and is critical in furthering student learning and building career networks.
School Emergency Response to Violence
$153,978
from the U.S. Department of Education
The university secured a grant from Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence), which supports institutions of higher education where the learning environment has been disrupted due to a violent or traumatic incident. The grant assists in reimbursing the university and provides training in emergency response and counseling.
Youth Gambling Prevention
$2,799,308
from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Associate Vice President Mary Jo Marion, the Worcester State University’s Health Sciences Department, and the Latino Education Institute received this contract to address issues of gambling and youth. The Department of Health Sciences will work to design and implement a program that uses peer leaders to address the problem of youth gambling.
Nursing Pathways Expansion
$400,000
from the Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet
In the second year of a three-year Nursing Pathways Expansion grant, the university secured much-needed equipment to assist with the training demands of an increase in the number of nursing students. Included in purchases are patient simulators and high-level, fully integrated, mobile medication stations with lockable drawers that replicate the realism of bedside point-of-care delivery.
Inclusive Enrollment Program
$72,614
from the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI)
Education professor Sue Foo and Dean of Education Ray Lewis received a grant to build a plan to introduce the MAICEI program at Worcester State for fall 2024. The Worcester State MAICEI program enables students with severe disabilities to be placed in credit courses with their non-disabled peers, and course selection will be aligned with transition planning for each student. The Student Accessibility Services Office, Academic Success Center, Writing Center, and Math Center are collaborating with students, faculty, and departments to support instruction, enhance academic success, and retain a diverse student body.
Latino Education Institute
$862,000 from multiple funders
The Latino Education Institute received programmatic support for its legacy programs in the form of grants from Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Fred Harris Daniels Foundation, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, UMass Medical School Foundation, United Way of Central Massachusetts, and Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives. Program successes this year positioned LEI for successful re-competition for the United Way’s Women’s Initiative for its LASOS (Latina Achievers in Search of Success). Building on its successful REACH Initiative work, LEI was successful in receiving a $75,000 grant from the UMASS DoN (Determination of Need) for the Promotoras de Salud (Health Ambassadors).
Invested and Endowed Funds of Worcester State Foundation
Funds created in the last fiscal year are green and marked with an *
The 125th Anniversary Scholarship
The Jacob and Laeh ’42 and Gail ’68 Aframe Scholarship
The Shirley Albert Endowed Scholarship
The George H. Albro ’65 and Lillian (Brooks) Albro ’65 Education Academic Achievement Award
The George H. Albro ’65 Memorial Scholarship
The Alden Faculty Development Fund
The Dr. Mary K. Alexander Endowed Scholarship
The Alumni Association of the Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing Annie Vigeant Scholarship
The Elizabeth Lenk Andronikos Scholarship
The Diane Aramony Student Teacher Stipend
The Fred R. and Lillian Anber Aramony Memorial Scholarship
The Lillian Anber Aramony Scholarship for Visual and Performing Arts
The Art Gallery Fund
The Dr. Janelle and Ray Ashley Endowed Scholarship
The Dr. Janelle C. Ashley Presidential Initiative
The Elizabeth (Beth) Axelson Award in Psychology
The Vera Dowden Baldwin Scholarship
The Mary and John Ballantine Endowed Scholarship
The Elizabeth DeWitt Bardsley Memorial Scholarship
The Robert W. Barros ’52 Endowed Scholarship
The Bartelson Family Scholarship Fund *
The Bedard Family Meal Plan Support Fund
The Bedard Family Endowed Scholarship for Business Entrepreneurs
The Arlyn Stahl Berlin Endowed Scholarship
The Promila Bhan Scholarship
The Estelle H. Blake ’60 Endowed Scholarship
The Jill Ann Bilodeau Memorial Nursing Scholarship
The Honorable John J. Binienda Center for Civic Engagement
The Bisk Mathematics Teaching Award
The Cynthia J. (Swenson) Blair Memorial Scholarship
The Ruth Blumsack Early Education Award
The Dr. and Mrs. Edwin A. Boger Endowed Scholarship
The Edward and Eileen Bolesky Academic Achievement Award
The Eileen M. Bolesky Endowed Scholarship for Leadership in Nursing
The Olive I. (Lutz) Borgatti Endowed Scholarship
The Corrine Bostic Memorial Scholarship
The Brennan Occupational Therapy Fund
The Brissette Family Endowed Fund for Athletics
The Business Administration and Economics Endowed Fund
The Ric Buxton ’75 Memorial Scholarship
The Sidney Buxton Jr. and Peggy Ann Buxton Scholarship
The Blanche Marcus Carnam Memorial Scholarship
The Paul J. Carnazza Scholarship
The Elizabeth W. Carver Memorial Scholarship
The Dr. Jennie M. Celona Study Abroad Stipend *
The Center for Teaching and Learning Technology Fund
The Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Spirit of Service Award for Criminal Justice
The Dr. Stephanie Chalupka Fund for Public Health Nursing Research and Innovation
The Lucy Chand Nursing Scholarship
The John and Priscilla Charron Memorial Scholarship
The Father Roland Chenier Memorial Scholarship
The Class of ’52 Emerging Leaders Lecture Series
The Class of 1952 Endowed Academic Achievement Award
The Class of 1953 Endowed Scholarship
The Class of 1954 Endowed Scholarship
The Class of 1958 Endowed Scholarship
The Class of 1960 Memorial Scholarship
The Class of 1961 Endowed Scholarship
The Class of 1962 Memorial Scholarship
The Class of 1963 Endowed Scholarship
The Class of 1964 Scholarship
The Class of 1965 Memorial Endowed Scholarship
The Class of 1966 Scholarship
The Class of 1967 Endowed Scholarship
The Class of 1968 Scholarship
The Class of 1969 Endowed Scholarship
The Lois Cofsky Memorial Endowed Scholarship
The Drs. Anna B. Cohen and Susan V. Rezen Scholarship
The Cohen-Larrivee Family Scholarship
The Geraldine Condon Memorial Scholarship
The John J. Connolly ’62 Ed.D. & Ingrid Connolly Presidential Lecture Series
The Kurt Correia ’16 Academic Achievement Award in Criminal Justice
The Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Art Gallery
The Samantha Jill Cote Memorial Nursing Scholarship
The Donald Cousineau ’57, M. Ed. ’60 and Elaine (Curran) Cousineau ’57, M. Ed. ’60 Elementary Education Award
The Francis Crimmins Endowed Scholarship
The Neil and Jo-Anne Cronin Endowed Scholarship
The Margaret M. Curran Endowed Business Scholarship
The Margaret M. Curran Endowed Education Scholarship
The Donald F. Cushing ’66, ’71 and Kathleen M. (Kane) Cushing ’65, ’71 Endowed Scholarship
The Paul ’57, ’59 & Barbara ’71 Davis Scholarship
The Vincent R. DeBenedictis, Professor Emeritus Memorial Scholarship
The Colonel Joseph C. Deely, USAF, Ret., ’56 and the Elizabeth “Betty” Deely Memorial Scholarship
The Gene J. and Julianne DeFeudis Endowed Scholarship
The Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship
The Eleanor T. Depenbrock ’37 Education Scholarship
The Eleanor T. Depenbrock ’37 Nursing Scholarship
The Dimmick Family Scholarship
The Anne “Annie” Dolan Nursing Award for Compassion
The Mary C. Dolphin Art Award
The Carol and James Donnelly Early Education and Care Graduate Scholarship
The Cornelius V. “Connie” Doherty Memorial Scholarship
The Doyle Fund for Women’s Track
The James & Mary (Breen) Duffy ’58 Scholarship Fund *
The Dr. Paula L. Dufresne-Sullivan Humanitarian Award in Nursing
The Vanessa Anne Dunn Memorial Scholarship
The Ruth (Hamley) and Francis Dyson Endowed Scholarship
The John Eager Memorial Fund
The Education Department Professional Development Fund
The European Study Abroad Stipend *
The Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital Scholarship
The Walter C. Fallon Memorial Fund
The Dr. Leonard F. ’54 and Margaret C. (McMaster) ’54 Farrey Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Finish Line Scholarship
The Katie L. Fleet Memorial Scholarship
The Esther Forbes Scholarship
The Dr. Elizabeth V. Foster Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Marilyn M. and Russell S. Fox Endowed Scholarship
The Dan Gavini Memorial Scholarship
The General Scholarship Fund
The Drs. Kalyan K. and Abha P. Ghosh Endowed Scholarship
The Kahlil Gibran Scholarship
The Charles and Esther Golub Endowed Scholarship
The Drs. Lillian R. Goodman and Mary K. Alexander Endowed Nursing Scholarship
The Drs. Lillian R. Goodman and Mary K. Alexander Faculty Fellowship for Ph.D. Education for Nursing Faculty
The Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing Fund
The Robert and M. Madeleine Goodney Scholarship in memory of Shawn Robert McDavitt and Luke William McDavitt
The Malcolm Gordon Memorial Academic Major Award
The Graduate School Scholarship
The Dr. Richard E. and Dolores J. Greene International Human Rights Scholarship
The Grenon Family Chemistry Program Scholarship Fund
The Dr. Ruth Griffiths Endowed Scholarship
The Susan R. (Marsh) Hall Scholarship Fund
The James E. and Stasia A. Hammond Scholarship
The Dorothy J. Hargrove ’63, M.Ed. ’68 Academic Award
The Gordon P. Hargrove ’61 Scholarship
The Dr. Rose D. Haroian Endowed Scholarship
The Dr. Nancy E. Harris Elementary Education Endowed Scholarship
The Matty Hehir and John Coghlin Endowed Fund for Men’s Ice Hockey
The Barbara Rose Herman Scholarship
The Jerome Hewlett Scholarship for Entrepreneurial Excellence
The James M. Hickey Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Helen Hirshberg Barron Academic Minor Award in Women’s Studies
The Florence Vivian “Tippie” Holmes Scholarship
The Don and Mary Jane Howard Endowed Scholarship
The Judith O’Connell Hoyer Poetry Reading Series
The Raj-Mahendra Jain Academic Achievement Award
The John and Loretta (White) Jensen Endowed Scholarship
The Matthew C. Johnsen, Ph.D. and Frances E. Williams Sociology Scholarship
The Dr. Francis L. Jones Memorial Scholarship
The John and Kelley (Gallagher) Joseph ’87 Endowed Scholarship for Elementary Education
The Dr. Joan Keller Juralewicz and Dr. Richard S. Juralewicz Endowed Scholarship
The Joseph V. Kane Memorial Scholarship
The Aileen D. Kelly Memorial Scholarship
The Professor Grace Kendrick Musical Celebrations Fund
The Barbara A. Kirklauskas ’64 Worcester State Athletics Department Fund in honor of her father, Joseph Kirklauskas
The Barbara A. Kirklauskas ’64 Worcester State Department of Visual & Performing Arts Fund in honor of her mother, Ann Kirklauskas
The Barbara A. Kirklauskas ’64 Worcester State Library Department Fund in honor of her parents, Joseph and Ann Kirklauskas
The Barbara A. Kirklauskas Study Away Scholarship Fund
The Kirklauskas Family Endowment for Women’s Basketball
The Maryann C. Kirklauskas, R.N. Study Away Endowment for Nursing
The Charlotte and Ben Klein Endowed Scholarship for the Performing Arts
The Edith C. and Philip A. Klinglof Scholarship
The Julia Bransby Knowlton Scholarship
The Dr. Marlin B. Kreider Biology Award
The Arline Lanois O’Brien/Knight Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Professor Robyn Leo Nursing Memorial Scholarship
The Leominster Credit Union Endowed Scholarship
The Allen and Barbara (Lyons) ’59 Levesque Endowed Book Fund
The Mary G. (Kerwin) Locke ’18, ’58 Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Kevin David Lyons Memorial Scholarship
The Magee Family Scholarship for First Generation Students
The Manning Family Criminal Justice Scholarship
The Dan Manning, Jr. Occupational Therapy Scholarship
The Margaret Manoogian “Open Door” Scholarship
The Felix E. Masterson Memorial Scholarship
The Aaron E. Mastrorio ’08 Memorial ROTC Scholarship
The Benjamin Matan Memorial Scholarship
The Esther Elizabeth Matthews Global Studies Endowed Scholarship
The Julia Cronin Matthews Endowed Scholarship
Invested and Endowed Funds of Worcester State Foundation (cont’d)
The Vincent ’66 and Rosanne (Sullivan) ’65 Matulaitis Scholarship
The McAuliffe Family Educational Scholarship
The McCarthy Coyle Wagner Scholarship for Community Activism
The Andrew and Sharon McDonald Family Endowed Scholarship
The McGinn Family Endowed Scholarship
The John “Jack” F. McLaughlin Jr, ’62 M.Ed. Professor Emeritus Memorial Scholarship *
The Dorothy F. McLoughlin Endowed Scholarship
The Dorothy F. and C. Mary McLoughlin Endowed Scholarship
The James P. McSherry ’53 Endowed Scholarship
The Nathaniel Mencow U.S. History Scholarship
The Dr. Melvin and Shirley (Stahl) Merken Two Cultures Endowed Scholarship
The Dr. Joan M. Merrill Endowed Scholarship
The Merrill Family Scholarship *
The David ’76 and Ellen M.Ed. ’88 Meyers Endowed Scholarship
The Ellen Meyers M.Ed. ’88 Memorial Academic Merit Award
The William and Helen Miller Endowed Scholarship
The Nick and Anna Monfreda Endowed Scholarship
The Donald and Mary Moran Scholarship
The Frances M. Moschella Elementary Education Memorial Scholarship
The Julia Moynihan Hickey Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Tarun and Amita Mukherjee Memorial Scholarship
The Eileen and William Mullin Memorial Scholarship
The Francis J. Mullin Memorial Scholarship
The Robert Emmett Mullin Endowed Graduate Scholarship in Educational Issues, Practices, and Policies
The William Murphy Scholarship
The James V. Murray ’65 Memorial Scholarship
The Mr. Thomas V. Murray ’68 Scholarship
The National Grid Endowed Scholarship
The Bernice M. Noah Endowed Nursing Scholarship
The Barbara (Hickey) O’Brien ’57 Department of Education Fund
The Barbara (Hickey) O’Brien ’57 Endowed Scholarship
The Brendan O’Brien Endowed Scholarship
The Kathleen A. O’Brien Scholarship
The Kevin R. O’Brien Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Robert Ivor O’Brien Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Robert K. O’Brien ’58 Endowed Scholarship
The William F. O’Brien, Jr., Ph.D. ’84 Academic Major Award in Economics
The Richard “Okie” O’Connor Scholarship
The Office of Multicultural Affairs Scholarship
The Terry O’Hara ’61, M.ED. ’65 Endowment for Athletics
The Kathleen O’Hare Havens Memorial Fund
The Deirdre Olson O’Connor Scholarship
The Anne T. O’Malley ’43 Endowed Scholarship
The Casey A. O’Malley Scholarship
The Mary Faith O’Neil Memorial Scholarship
The Palumbo Family Scholarship
The Dianne (Helow) ’59 and Robert D. Payne Scholarship
The People’s United Bank Scholarship
The Ada Cheever Perry Memorial Scholarship
The Dr. John Person Biology Reading Lounge Fund
The Dr. A. Barbara and Albert J. Pilon, Jr. Endowed Scholarship
The Icik and Rose Plevinsky Memorial Scholarship
The Dr. Maryann Power Scholarship
The Dr. Maureen Power Service Award
The Vincent E. “Jake” Powers Award
The Marilyn Miller Pula Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Mary M. Reardon Endowed Scholarship for Early Childhood Education
The Ross A. Reynolds ’17 Memorial Presidential Student Leadership Fund
The Victor and Angelia Rezen Memorial Scholarship
The James and Sharon Ricciardi Family Endowed Scholarship
The John J. ’74 and Alice ’76 Riordan Scholarship
The Rosen Cancer Awareness Support Fund
The Gregg ’86 and Pamela (Swartz) ’87 Rosen Endowed Scholarship
The Allen and Ruth R. (Sadick) Rubin ’52 Endowed Scholarship
The Allen & Ruth Rubin ’52 Meal Plan Support Fund *
The Louise A. Russell M.S. ’70 and Linda A. Russell ’83 Scholarship
The Ronald F. St. Amand Biology Scholarship
The SCF Urban Studies Academic Major Award
The SGA Student Leader Scholarship
The Dr. Maureen and Edward Shamgochian Scholarship and Research Award
The Sarah E. Sharbach Memorial Scholarship
The Helen G. Shaughnessy Endowed Scholarship
The Ann E. Sheehan, Class of 1939, Memorial Endowed Scholarship
The Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan, USMC Ret., Endowed Scholarship
The Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan, USMC Ret., Endowed Study Abroad Scholarship Program
The Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan, USMC Ret., Honors Program
The Sharen Cutting Shipley Scholarship
The Dr. GB and Lexi Singh Fellowship Faculty Fund
The Mary Catherine Smalley Memorial Scholarship
The Smith Family Scholarship
The Helen M. Smith Scholarship
The Mary W. Smith Scholarship
The South High School, Class of 1957 Scholarship
The Dr. Robert M. Spector Endowed Scholarship
The Olivia Rochelle Spencer Memorial Scholarship
The SPORTS ALIVE Scholarship - In Memory of E. Jay Tierney
The Maureen C. Stefanini ’58 Endowed Scholarship
The Robert J. Stell Memorial Scholarship
The Stoddard Endowment Fund
The Margaret Stone Education Department Fund
The Dr. Eugene A. Sullivan Scholarship
The Tarmey Family Academic Achievement Award
The Mary D. Tateosian Scholarship
The Dr. Elaine G. Tateronis Scholarships
The George & Sheila Tetler Academic Achievement Award in Art
The George and Sheila Tetler Achievement Award in Business Administration
Thea’s Pantry Class of 1969 “Sponsor a Shelf” *
The Thompson Education Computer Lab Fund
The Anthony Thurston Academic Achievement Award in Biology
The Edwin S. ’51, M.Ed. ’54 and Margaret M. (Handfield) ’58, M.Ed. ’61 Titus Scholarship
The F. Stephen Trimby Award in Economics
The Jessie E. Turner Class of 1911 Endowed Scholarship
The Ronald R. Valerio ’75 Memorial Academic Awards
The Wilbert H. “Bub” Valiquette Scholarship
The Elizabeth and Stephen Wark Scholarship
The Phillip M. Wasylean II Endowed Scholarship
The Madelin Wilmarth Fund
The Sarah Ella Wilson Memorial Scholarship
The Withstandley Family Endowed Scholarship *
The Worcester City Hospital Annie Vigeant Graduate Nursing Scholarship
The Worcester Railers Nick Pennucci Men’s Hockey Fund
The Worcester State Foundation Helping Hand Fund
The WSU “Giving Back to the Average Student” Scholarship
The Cheng and Christina Yuan History Award
The Faith T. Zeadey Dialogs on Social Justice and Human Rights
Executive Cabinet
Barry M. Maloney
President
Lois Wims, Ph.D.
Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
Kathy Eichelroth Vice President for Administration and Finance
Ryan Forsythe, Ph.D. Vice President for Enrollment Management
Thomas McNamara ’94
Vice President for University Advancement
Julie Kazarian ’98, M.S. ’01
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Carl A. Herrin
Assistant to the President / Chief of Staff
Stacey Luster, JD
General Counsel/Assistant to the President for Employment and Equal Opportunity
Maureen O. Stokes
Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing
Sathi Mitra
Assistant Vice President/Chief Human Resources Officer
Board of Trustees
Marina L. Taylor, Chair
Lisa M. Colombo ’87, Vice Chair
Dr. Lawrence Sasso ’90, M.S. ’13, Vice Chair
Karen M. LaFond
William D. Mosley
Dina A. Nichols
Amy L. Peterson ’03
Maureen Power
Kaitlin Schott ’24
David H. Tuttle ’01
WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP
We are grateful to the members of the University’s Board of Trustees, Worcester State Foundation, and Alumni Association’s Advisory Board for their commitment to the university. Here are the board members for July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024.
Worcester State Foundation Board of Directors
Kevin T. Campbell ’73, Chair
James Glickman, Vice Chair
Satya B. Mitra, Ph.D., Vice Chair
Edward L. Sherr, Treasurer
Ann DeBiasio ’79, Immediate Past Chair
Thomas M. McNamara ’94, President & Clerk
Omoz Aisiku, Ph.D. ’98
Diana Aisiku
Jennifer H. Beaton
David E. Bedard ’74
Craig A. Bovaird ’77
John P. Brissette ’88
John R. Buckley, III ’94
Marybeth Campbell
Greta Bajrami Campoverde
Derek E. Canton ’15
Geovanna I. Diaz ’12
Terry Dorsey-Potts ’73
Allen J. Falke ’93
Mary Burke Fallon
Daniel F. Figueiredo ’15
Elizabeth N. Gilgun ’92
Alan I. Gordon ’80
Maryanne H. Hammond ’69
Warren Hayden ’86
Sandy Hubbard
Helder Machado
Barry M. Maloney
Dottie J. Manning M.Ed. ’88
Rosanne Matulaitis ’65
Catheryn M. McEvoy ’95
Michael J. Mills ’72
Robert J. Morton ’87
Suzanne Nebelung, M.Ed. ’00
Andrew D. Ngo ’17
Dina A. Nichols
Alan O. Osmolowski ’91
Seth A. Pitts ’10
Kyram R. Pou ’25
Maureen F. Power ’05
Robin J. Quill ’97
Gregg H. Rosen ’86
Kimberly M. Salmon
Sharen C. Shipley ’74
Robert J. Spain ‘78
Peter J. Staiti ‘02
George W. Tetler, III
Adi Tibrewal
Randal D. Webber ’91
Alumni Association’s Advisory Board
Dana F. Perry ’16, President
Andrew D. Ngo ’17, Vice President
Jillian M. Russo ’16, Secretary
Executive Committee at Large
Ellis J. Cropper ’96
Robert G. Doyle ’73
Directors
Jenna M. Beahn ’22, M.Ed. ’21 –Assistant Director of Alumni
Thomas P. Cieszynski ’07
Caitlyn A. Costello ’13
Nana A. Darkwa ’19
Sonela Demirazi ’15
Meaghan K. Dougherty ’19
Shakira E. Floyd ’13
Timothy Hagopian ’85
Manasseh A. Konadu ’20
Jacob Labonte ’22
Taneisha S. Mings ’13
Amy L. Peterson ’03, Representative to the Board of Trustees
Maia Shalev ’20
Debra F. Tambeau ’74
Elizabeth Wheeler ’18, M.S.N. ’22
Michael Whitman, M.S. ’21
Marilyn F. Willand ’69, M.Ed. 81
Nick Holm ’24, SGA President/ Senate Chair – Student Representative
The Donor Impact Statement is published annually by University Advancement for donors, alumni, and supporters. This report covers the fiscal year June 30, 2023–July 1, 2024.
Vice President of University Advancement
Thomas McNamara ’94
Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations
Felicia Riffelmacher
Director of Advancement Communications, Annual Giving, and Donor Relations
Andrea Dever
Director of Gift Planning and Scholarships
Louise Taylor
Director of Advancement Services
Lisa Godfrin-Saulnier
Director of Grants and Sponsored Research
Gina Stec
Editor and Communications Director
Deborah Alvarez O’Neil
University Advancement 486 Chandler Street Worcester, MA 01602 508-929-8033 alumni@worcester.edu
READ ONLINE
The Donor Impact Statement is online at issuu.com/ worcesterstate To receive it in digital format only, email alumni@ worcester.edu.
Front and back cover photos by Matt Wright ’10
Scholarship recipients Andja Kola ’26, Alexandra Jean-Louis ’26 and Jack Lasbury-Casey ’26.