The Neil and Jo-Anne Cronin Endowed Scholarship

Jo-Anne Cronin ’64, M.Ed. ’68, and her late brother Neil Cronin ’66 both enjoyed long and fulfilling careers as teachers, shaping young lives for a combined 72 years in the classroom. The Neil and Jo-Anne Cronin Endowed Scholarship was created to help other aspiring teachers at Worcester State fulfill their dreams, no matter their financial background.
“We were both fortunate in receiving an education that stood us in good stead in our teaching careers,” says Jo-Anne. “Ideally, the scholarship will go to a student who is not only scholastically worthy, but who might not be able to attend Worcester State without this financial help.”
Although Neil was older, Jo-Anne came to Worcester State first, even though (technically) she never applied. Unbeknownst to her, an application in her name was sent in by her guidance counselor at South High School, who knew of her long-standing plans to be a teacher and decided Worcester State was the right place for her.
“I received a letter inviting me for an interview, and I didn’t even know I had applied,” says Cronin with a laugh. But she admits the guidance counselor knew best, and she thoroughly enjoyed her training with some of the best mentors possible, including Elizabeth Foster, Helen Shaughnessy, and Ruth Griffiths.
She spent her entire career as a math teacher and administrator in the Worcester Public Schools, first at Forest Grove Middle School for 28 years and then Burncoat High School for 10 years, before retiring in 2003.
Neil’s pathway to the classroom was not quite as direct. He worked at a bank after high school, but “he realized he couldn’t become president of the bank without a college degree,” says Jo-Anne. He attended Worcester State while still working nights, but quit the banking world after graduation to start a 33-year career as an English teacher at Algonquin High School in Northborough.
Throughout his long career, Neil was a true and loyal supporter of Algonquin and the many Northborough students who came through his classroom. For years he served as an announcer at the high school’s football games, and his former students around town greeted him warmly, almost as an honorary resident, even though he lived in Shrewsbury.
“He gave his whole life to that town. They called him the mayor of Northborough,” says Jo-Anne, adding he always made a point of hiring Algonquin alumni to fix his car or renovate his house.
As for Jo-Anne, this scholarship is not the first time she has offered support to Worcester State students. She was one of the first to fund an Adopt-A-Scholar award, which provides one student with a $1,000 scholarship for four years, starting in freshman year and continuing to graduation. Her first student graduated in 2019 and now she is supporting two more students through this program.
Jo-Anne is an active alumnus and a member of the President’s Circle. She also received the Outstanding Service to Alma Mater Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005.
“It’s great to see how Worcester State has grown in size and prestige. I’m a donor because it’s an easy way to give back, and the rewards are great. The students need it,” she says.
(One $1,000 Award) The Neil and Jo-Anne Cronin Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a sophomore, junior, or senior majoring or minoring in education who intends on becoming a teacher. Special preference will be given to students with strong financial need.