The Phillip M. Wasylean II Endowed Scholarship

Criteria: (one $970.00 Award) The Phillip M. Wasylean II Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to:
• A full-time student
• A student enrolled as a Secondary Education minor
• A student involved in WSU’s student activities
• A student who demonstrates financial need
• Preference will be given to a student with a minor in Secondary Education who is involved in the performing arts on campus.
Applicants must provide a short essay attesting to their interest in becoming a secondary education teacher, how their extracurricular activities have shaped their Worcester State experience, and their need for this grant.

As a boy, Phil worked on his grandfather’s farm making egg boxes, earning 25 cents a day. Later, in addition to delivering newspapers, mowing lawns, and doing odd jobs, Phil bought war bond stamps each week at his school. By the time he entered Worcester State in 1959, he had managed to save close to $10,000. This was more than enough to pay for his college tuition all four years. Phil continued to work during his undergraduate years—in Worcester State’s cafeteria during the week and at Howard Johnson’s on the weekends.

Phil graduated in 1963. Later in his career, he earned a Master of Arts degree and a master’s degree in teaching from Rhode Island College and a Master of Science degree from the University of Rhode Island. In addition, he became certified to teach in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Over the years, Phil taught English, Spanish, social studies, English as a second language, bilingual education (social studies), and drama. He was a yearbook advisor, media specialist, and drama director and producer. Phil led humanities and writing workshops at the local, regional, and national levels, including at the Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education’s annual convention. He also published scholarly articles in English Journal (September 1986) and Resources in Education (April 1993 and 1998). Phil served for five years on the national Board of Professional Standards in Washington, D.C.

Phil is a dedicated traveler and thespian. He has traveled extensively, visiting over 54 countries. He remembers fondly studying at the University of Madrid and traveling throughout Spain for two summers. He spent 35 years with the Hampton (New Hampshire) Playhouse as an actor and entertainment director.

Phil’s honors include an award to study philosophy at St. Anselm College; the 1992 John F. Kennedy Teaching Award; a 1992 PEW National Grant for the Bill of Rights Bicentennial; a 1999 New Hampshire Hero Award for saving a teacher’s life at Condado Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he maintains a home; a Teacher of the Month Award from Lawrence High School in 2001; and the 2009 WSU Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to Alma Mater. He was also featured on Boston’s Channel 5 in a segment on teaching in a bilingual situation in an urban school setting.

Phil deeply believes in helping other people, especially young people who wish to attend WSU. For 25 years, he organized “Magic of Christmas,” a program that generated donations of thousands of toys for children in South Providence, R.I., and Lawrence, Mass. Phil is one of WSU’s most generous and reliable benefactors, donating more than $1 million to benefit students. In recognition of his leadership support, the award-winning Wasylean Hall was named in his honor in November 2004. In addition to this scholarship, he maintains a scholarship at Lawrence High School for graduates who want to attend WSU. Phil proudly leads by example and encourages all WSU graduates to support their alma mater with a passion.