WSC is extending its largest fundraising campaign after meeting the $10 million goal seven months early. “The goal was very ambitious,” President Janelle Ashley told nearly 270 guests at the Distinguished Donors Reception at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts last Thursday night. “We are not stopping here. Our students need us to continue the campaign. It is for them that we have set a new goal of 12 million dollars.”
Gifts toward “Opportunity for a Lifetime: A Campaign for the Future of Worcester State College” are transforming the college’s ability to serve students. One campaign goal is to raise $4 million for student scholarships to meet the growing demand from students and families seeking alternatives and supplements to student loans. Over $3 million is earmarked for WSC’s academic programs and expansion of faculty-led undergraduate research. Gifts exceeding $3 million will increase the Worcester State Foundation’s unrestricted endowment, a fund that addresses immediate college needs and priorities.
The campaign has raised $10.4 million to date.
The remaining seven months of the campaign will focus primarily on securing donations for new scholarships. The campaign will end on June 30, 2010.
“I am so very appreciative of everyone who has helped us get to this point so soon—especially Steve and Jackie Keenan and Al Pilon for their leadership gifts. Worcester State is so fortunate to have this much support,” Ashley said.
The Keenans’ gift of $2 million is unrestricted and Mr. Pilon’s gift of $1 million is for student scholarships. Pilon previously established an endowed scholarship in memory of his wife, the late Dr. A. Barbara Pilon, a professor in the Education and Language and Literature departments.
“The Worcester State family is tremendously, tremendously grateful that in one of the most precarious years for our country—and the world—we could count on our loyal alumni and friends to support our students,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement Thomas M. McNamara.
“In the final seven months of the campaign, we look forward to your continued support to meet the raised bar and for us to be able to celebrate yet again when we hit the 12 million dollar mark,” noted Board of Trustees Chair George Tetler. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you for all that you do for Worcester State College.”
Among the other campaign commitments recorded since the October 2008 public unveiling are several gifts and pledges of $25,000 or higher, including the following:
- A $350,000 grant from The George I. Alden Trust for the renovation of the Worcester State College library entrance
- A $50,000 grant from The Stoddard Charitable Trust to support the partnership between the College and the Worcester Center for Crafts
- A $25,000 grant from the Fletcher Foundation for renovations to the Worcester State College art gallery
- A gift of $25,000 from alumna Sharen Shipley for a student scholarship
- A gift of $25,000 from Charlotte Spector for a scholarship for history students in memory of her husband, the late Dr. Robert Spector, who was a professor in the History Department
- A combined gift and pledge of $25,000 from alumni Richard and Dolores Greene for a scholarship for students from countries with documented human rights violations
- A gift of over $25,000 from David Tateosian, Jean Hutchison, and Joan Arakelian for a scholarship in memory of their mother, alumna Mary Tateosian
- A gift of $25,000 from the Grafton Hillers Organization for a scholarship in memory of alumnus Kevin Lyons
- A pledge of $25,000 from alumnus Phillip M. Wasylean II for a scholarship for secondary education students
- A gift of $25,000 from Michael and Nancy Moran for a scholarship in honor of Michael’s parents, alumni Donald and Mary Moran
- A combined gift and pledge of $25,000 from alumna Alexandria Singh and her husband, Dr. GB Singh for a nursing faculty fellowship
- A gift of $25,000 from members of the Class of 1959 for scholarships