The Felix E. and Linda Masterson Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Felix E. “Buddy” Masterson and Linda DeSavage met in Worcester and married in 1978. Felix had been a professor of secondary education and community education programs at Worcester State since 1968. After their marriage, Linda enrolled as a student. She graduated from Worcester State University with a bachelor’s degree in 1982 and an M.Ed. in 1987 and worked for years in the Admissions Office. During these years, and long after, Worcester State was very much part of the fabric of their lives.

Linda and Felix raised their family on June Street in Worcester, not far from the university. They were very involved in the social life of the university, attending events on campus or hosting colleagues and students in their home. When the couple moved to Florida, they built a community of Worcester State alumni there—one that is still going strong.

Felix coached the Worcester State University Men’s Basketball team from 1969 until 1973 and was honored as Coach of the Year by New England Small College Division Basketball in 1972. He also served as coordinator of the advanced graduate study program in education and as coordinator of the master’s in education program. From 1981 until his death in November of 1999, he was a professor of business administration. He was a mentor, teacher, coach, and friend to countless students and members of the Worcester community.

After Buddy passed away in 1999, Linda, at age 51, said no one could replace “the love of her life.” She established Worcester State University’s Felix E. “Buddy” Masterson Memorial Scholarship in his honor. For the next 25 years, until her death, she was active in her community and the Worcester State Alumni Association. She also worked in the Education Department, supervising student teachers. Numerous alumni have expressed their gratitude for Linda’s influence in their lives.

In honor of their legacies, the Mastersons’ children have renamed the scholarship to honor both parents.