The Dr. Janelle and Ray Ashley Endowed Scholarship
Criteria: (Amount Equal to One Full Annual Tuition Award) The Dr. Janelle and Ray Ashley Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a full-time undergraduate student leader who has been actively involved in a student-leadership activity for a minimum of one academic semester, plans to continue his or her involvement, demonstrates a strong sense of team spirit, and embraces the role of mentor. Applicants should provide an essay detailing their level of involvement at Worcester State University and their leadership philosophy as well as how being involved has influenced them personally and made them a stronger member of the University community.
The nine years that Janelle C. Ashley, Ph.D., served as Worcester State University’s tenth president will be remembered as a time of continuous campus and academic renewal, record-breaking fundraising, and strengthened ties with alumni. True to her unassuming humility, Dr. Ashley gives much of the credit to members of her team for the strides the University took in the first decade of the 21st century.
Dr. Ashley always put others and their interests before her own, especially when students—her number one priority—were concerned. Her adherence to this priority is most visible in a broad scope of campus improvements, including the expansion of on-campus housing and modernization of several historic buildings. Less visible advances enhanced student learning. Her willingness to reach out beyond the campus grounds forged partnerships that expanded student offerings ranging from scholarships to new programs.
From the outset, Dr. Ashley invited WSU’s alumni community to reconnect with their alma mater in meaningful ways. The
response to her infectious grace and charm was immediate,joyous, and overwhelming. Many alumni shared her belief that
WSU students need support, leading to unprecedented alumni giving and a scholarship program that helps hundreds of students pursue their dreams of a college education.
WSU’s first female president can also point to a number of significant “firsts” that occurred during her tenure: first capital campaign to surpass $12 million; first National Science Foundation grant; first National Institutes of Health grant; and first (and only) Massachusetts state university named a Princeton Review Best Northeastern College for seven consecutive years.
Dr. Ashley is the second WSU president to establish an endowed scholarship upon retirement, and this is the third endowed
scholarship named in honor of a WSU president.
“I know from personal experience that scholarship assistance makes a tremendous difference in the lives of college students,” she says. Dr. Ashley received a full meritbased scholarship to Stephen F. Austin State University for her outstanding academic performance in high school. She went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and then to earn a master’s degree in English. She earned her doctorate degree in management at the University of North Texas. She later held a variety of teaching and administrative positions at both universities.
Dr. Ashley’s husband, Ray, also became a part of the university community. He attended many events, including Homecoming, the Distinguished Donors Reception, Commencement, and Reunion Weekend. Before the couple moved to Massachusetts in 2002, Ray, a graduate of Sam Houston State University, enjoyed a 35-year distinguished career in management with Moore Business Forms in Texas.
The Ashleys embrace the notion of providing a scholarship that recognizes students who are leaders on campus and mentors to other students. Both believe WSU students should set professional and personal goals, get involved, and stay engaged. It may last a lifetime, Ray says. He joined Phi Delta Theta at Sam Houston State University and is “still in touch” with classmates and advises current students.