November 18, 2009
Ten Westfield State College students were among 53 students statewide honored by the State Colleges of Massachusetts this week as 2009 Paul E. Tsongas Scholars. They received scholarships named for the late U.S. senator that cover full tuition and fees at any of the nine state colleges.
Westfield State students honored were Brooke K. Carney of Shrewsbury, Kristine M. Coughlan of Acton, Corinne R. Glennie of Groton, Kimberly A. Greenhaigh of Franklin, Anthony J. Iozzo and Brian P. Lanciault of Dudley; Kathleen A. Jwanowski of Peabody, Benjamin C. Senecal of Barre and Stephen A. Walsh of Agawam and Lauren T. Burch of Randolph, N. J.
A State House ceremony Monday, Nov. 16, was attended by Thaleia Tsongas Schlesinger, sister of the late Senator Paul Tsongas, Senate President Therese Murray and State Treasurer Timothy Cahill.
Also present were Secretary of Education Paul Reville; numerous state senators and representatives; Jay Curley, Senior Vice President of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts, which sponsored the event; and all nine state college presidents.
“These are kids who were not born on third base, but who can now get there because their hard work and academic excellence have been recognized in a significant way,’’ said Westfield State President Evan S. Dobelle.
The Tsongas Scholarship Program offers the state’s top students full scholarships to one of nine state colleges in Massachusetts. The awards cover in-state tuition and mandatory fees for up to four years, which is about $6,800 each year.
Scholarship awards are merit-based, and financial need is not required for eligibility. To renew Tsongas Scholarship funding, students must maintain a minimum 3.3 grade point average and fulfill requirements set by individual colleges in the program.
The program was launched in 1998 by the Board of Higher Education as a tribute to the Tsongas, who died in 1997. It was designed to further Tsongas' belief in the value of education and the importance of public colleges and universities in providing all citizens access to academic excellence. In addition to his many other contributions to the public good, Tsongas once served as Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Regents of Higher Education, the precursor to today's Board of Higher Education.
The luncheon for students, family and members of the state college community was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
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