The Mary and John Ballantine Endowed Scholarship

(Amount equal to one full annual tuition award) The Mary and John Ballantine Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a full-time sophomore or junior majoring in either Elementary Education with an interest in teaching reading, or a full-time sophomore or junior majoring in Biology, Chemistry or Physical and Earth Sciences with a minimum GPA of 3.2.

Mary (Murray) Ballantine arrived at the State Teachers College at Worcester on September 13, 1933, embarking on what would be a lifelong journey. As one of seventy-five freshmen prospective teachers, Mary settled into life as a college student. Upon graduation in May of 1937, Mary and her classmates all agreed that their experience at State Teachers College gave them at least four precious possessions: a cultured background, a worthy profession, happy memories, and above all, many sincere friends.

While Mary was pursuing her college education, John Ballantine, whom she later married, was pursuing a career in the sciences, developing tools and instruments for government contracts in space exploration and other endeavors. Although John never had the opportunity to attend college he, along with Mary, valued education tremendously.

Mary began her career as an educator teaching Americanization in Worcester. She helped many of Worcester’s immigrants become American citizens. She had a warm spot in her heart for all of the people she was able to help. After raising her two children, Mary returned to her teaching profession at Lake Street School in Spencer for eight years, and eventually retired as Teaching Principal of Grove Street School, also in Spencer. Mary and John truly loved their family and their chosen professions, and took great pride in both.

In May of 2012, Mary celebrated her seventy-fifth reunion from Worcester State University! This was a joyous milestone in her life, and to celebrate it, her family decided to endow a scholarship in honor of their mother and father. Mary was delighted with the news. On September 25, 2012, Mary passed away peacefully knowing that her legacy and her spirit would live forever at Worcester State University through the Mary and John Ballantine Endowed Scholarship.