The Helen G. Shaughnessy Endowed Scholarship

Criteria: (Amount Equal to One Full Annual Tuition Award) The Helen G. Shaughnessy Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a student who is entering his or her senior year in the Elementary Education program. The applicant must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in their major and should provide evidence of financial need. The student applying for this scholarship should include an essay with the application. This essay should indicate the student’s commitment to the teaching profession and experience in volunteering as a student.

The late Helen G. Shaughnessy graduated from Worcester State Teachers College in 1943 and dedicated her life to the field of education. Helen first taught in the Leicester Public Schools and the Auburn Public Schools where she graced the school halls for thirteen years as a teacher and Elementary Supervisor. Helen’s career at Worcester State spanned 29 years and she served the college in many capacities—as an associate professor, director of professional services, chair of the Education department, associate dean of Academic Affairs, director of Personnel and Labor Relations, acting executive vice president, and as co-chair of the Scholarship Tea Committee. Helen was active in the affairs of the University, serving on the Worcester State Foundation Board of Directors and numerous other volunteer committees. The name Helen Shaughnessy is synonymous with Worcester State University!

Helen received professional honors by being named to Who’s Who in American Education in 1967, awarded a WSU Honorary Doctor of Education in 1986, and became a WSU Professor Emerita in 1986. She was a member of many honor societies and professional and community organizations.

Devoted and delightful to all she has met, Helen is revered by the thousands of people she touched in her career in education. Children living in the towns she taught in and the students at Worcester State were fortunate to have her as a mentor. An event at WSU does not pass without an alum crediting Helen Shaughnessy for making their time at the University more special.

Helen steadfastly supported alumni activities and was often seen on the college campus volunteering her time and was awarded the Outstanding Alumni Award in 1990 for her remarkable commitment of time and talent to the University. This award is the highest accolade given to alumni, which honors distinguished service to Worcester State.