School of Education Centennial Scholarship Celebration

November 2, 2007 - About 35 people, representing past donors to the School of Education’s scholarship program and scholarship recipients, gathered at the Nov. 2 School of Education Centennial Scholarship Celebration at the University Club. Organizers hope that this is just the first in a series of receptions honoring this important relationship between funders and students who have benefitted from their gifts.

The Nov. 2 program included both donors and recipients from three of the School of Education’s endowed scholarships, the Early Childhood Education Graduate Student Fund, the Meline Kasparian Endowed Scholarship, and the Joseph W. Keilty Endowed Scholarship.

Anne E. Talley, a M.Ed. student in Secondary Education and 2007-2008 recipient of a Meline Kasparian Endowed Scholarship, presented honorary plaques to two sponsors of the scholarship: Jane Miller, former president of the Massachusetts Society of Professors, and Catherine Boudreau, former President and current Board Member of the Massachusetts Teacher’s Association.
“The [Meline Kasparian] scholarship I received has allowed me to focus more intently on my studies,” said Talley, who is doing her prepracticum at Great Falls Middle School in Montague. “I am truly appreciative to be able to make my education here at UMass my number one priority and I am able to do that thanks to the scholarship I received.”

Scott Tyner, a doctoral student in Child and Family Studies, presented a congratulatory plaque to Marjorie Cahn, a donor supporting the Early Childhood Education Endowed Scholarship. Tyner’s studies are being supported by that scholarship and the Joseph W. Keilty Endowed Scholarship.

“This support enabled me to transition from my 20-year career in early childhood special education, to my current life as a full time doctoral candidate in child and family studies,” Tyner said. “By acknowledging the worthiness of my work, these awards were powerful confidence boosters. The laptop computer that I was able to purchase with scholarship funds is a daily reminder of the important practical value that these financial opportunities can provide to people just like me.”

The School boasts over $1 million in endowments geared for scholarships.

“Scholarships support students while they pursue their educational goals, but scholarships are also important to the School,” said Dean Christine B. McCormick, speaking at the reception. “By offering scholarships, we can compete with the Harvards, Berkeleys, and dare I say it, UConns out there and attract top graduate students.”

 “Scholarships help us to retain them by giving them the resources and peace of mind to focus their time and energy on those things that will help them to succeed as education professionals,” McCormick said.