The James and Mary (Breen) Duffy '58 Memorial Endowed Scholarship

The James and Mary (Breen) Duffy ’58 Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of beloved Worcester State alumna Mary Duffy, recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award, and her late husband Jim. The endowment was established by the Duffy children and their dear family friends, the Coghlin family in recognition of Mary’s devotion to her alma mater. Mary and Jim were always together at Worcester State University events. “My mother was committed to the Worcester State community and to the students who valued the opportunities that these scholarships provide. This is truly a wonderful way to honor their memory,” said Maureen Donovan, Jim and Mary’s daughter.
A Worcester native, Mary (Breen) Duffy came from a family of Worcester State graduates, including her mother Ruth (Clement) Breen from the class of 1930. Mary’s three siblings also graduated from Worcester State. Mary earned her degree in 1958 and went on to teach second grade in the Worcester Public Schools at Gates Lane School. Through the years, she found countless ways to give back to Worcester State and its students. A true ambassador, Mary served on her class’s 45th and 50th reunion committees, and was instrumental in the Class of 1958’s successful effort as the first to establish an endowed scholarship at Worcester State. The class went on to establish a second endowed scholarship five years later, again with Mary’s enthusiastic support. While she always gave credit to others, Mary personally reached out to many of her fellow classmates to seek support for the scholarships and hosted committee meetings in her own home. Mary served as a Class Agent, sharing positive news and updates with her classmates and helping them to stay connected to each other and the university. Leading by example, she encouraged her fellow graduates to come back to Worcester State and get involved. Mary was thrilled when Worcester State welcomed its first female president, Dr. Janelle Ashley, in 2002. Dr. Ashley’s arrival opened the university for greater alumni involvement and Mary later recalled how she and others were delighted to play an active role as alumni.

In 2011, Worcester State University honored Mary with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to her Alma Mater. The award recognizes alumni who demonstrate exceptional loyalty, devotion, commitment, and service to the Worcester State community.
In the community, both Mary and Jim were well known for their dedication to helping others and were members of the Our Lady of the Angels Parish. Mary was active in the Christ the King Catholic Youth Council and the Parent Teachers Organization at the Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton. Jim, who retired from Coghlin Companies as a vice president and general manager, was committed to helping people, especially his friends and the family he loved.

Criteria: The James and Mary (Breen) Duffy ’58 Memorial Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a first-generation college student who is a sophomore, junior, or senior majoring in education and has financial need and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.