Scholarship Brunch brings nearly 300 donors and students together

November 12, 2024
By: Rebecca Cross

Nearly 300 donors and students gathered for conversation and food on Sunday, November 3, for the university’s annual Scholarship Brunch. The brunch gives scholarship donors and recipients a chance to meet and build relationships.

“Thanks to our extraordinary donor community, we have expanded our scholarship offerings from 15 in 1994 to an impressive 425 scholarships this year,” said Thomas McNamara, vice president of University Advancement. Last year, he said, $1.2 million was given to students in the form of scholarships. “The remarkable growth we see today is thanks to everyone in this room,” he said. “Your generosity plays a vital role in enabling many of our first-generation students to create better opportunities for themselves and their families.”

First-generation student Charlotte McGregor, who is studying nursing, received the Magee Family Scholarship for First-Generation Students. “Not only has it helped me financially, it’s helped me to push myself to be better,” she said.

Donors Dale and Melanie Magee were both first-generation students and attended college on New York Regent Scholarships. “It would have been difficult for us to get a college education without that,” Melanie said, “and we appreciate that very much.” The Magees wanted to help other first-generation students, so they established and endowed The Magee Family Scholarship Fund for First-Generation Students, which provides $5,000 or 50 percent tuition and fees, whichever is more, to two first-generation students who require financial aid.

Computer science major Ernesto Suarez is one of the recipients of the Magees’ scholarship. The scholarship, he said, has allowed him to keep playing baseball.

Ruth Rubin graduated from Worcester State in 1952 with a degree in teaching. She and her late husband, Allen, established one of the earliest endowed scholarships at the university. “It was my husband’s idea,” she said. “He said, ‘If it wasn’t for your ability to teach so that I could go to school during the day and we could live on your salary, where we are now would not be possible.’”

“I’m very proud to have been one of the first [to establish an endowed scholarship],” Rubin said, “but I’m also very proud to see how many scholarships are available to all these students and how beneficial they are to all of them.”

Education major Kate Stedronski says the scholarship she received from Rubin has made a huge difference to her family, who have three students in college at the same time.

“Worcester State set me on a journey that I never would have anticipated,” said donor and alumna Diane Aramony. “I’ve been very blessed in my life.” She wanted others to have that same experience, so she started a scholarship in honor of her parents. “Meeting these students is wonderful. It brings to life what’s written on a sheet of paper. It’s an encouragement to continue.”

“We are deeply committed to this community, deeply committed to our students, deeply committed to providing an excellent education, so thank you very much,” said President Barry Maloney.

Photos by Matt Wright ’10

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