William "Bill" Pingeton, Class of 1952, Endowed Scholarship

A beloved and respected educator and principal, Bill dedicated 40 years to enriching the lives of students in the Worcester Public Schools. Recognized by former students, colleagues, and administrators for his leadership qualities, Bill was among the first principals chosen to participate in the Harvard University Leadership Program for Administrators. The culmination of Bill’s career was dedicated to mentoring future Worcester Public School principals until his retirement in 1994.

Bill’s commitment to family, faith, community, and alma mater paralleled his devotion to his professional life. Serving on his 50th and 55th reunion planning committees, Bill was instrumental in bringing classmates together to reunite, rejoice, and reminisce. He actively assisted in securing funds to present to then-President Janelle Ashley to commemorate the Class of 1952’s respective milestones. His kind and smiling personality graced the halls of Worcester State University throughout the reunion weekend festivities much like they had during his undergraduate stay.

In 2006, the Holden Democratic Town Committee bestowed the Good Neighbor Award, an honor presented to an individual who goes the extra mile in volunteer service to their community, to Bill. He was a member of the Sodality of Our Lady at the College of the Holy Cross whose activities involved charitable works, donations, volunteer works and spiritual study.
Bill was married for 56 years to the late Joan (Vancelette) Pingeton and together they raised two daughters, seeing them through college and graduate school. Education was a core value in their family.

To commemorate and honor their father’s legacy, Bill’s family established the William “Bill” Pingeton Scholarship to assist a first-generation student from any major (favoring health, education, and business administration), entering his or her sophomore, junior, or senior year, who exhibits an interest in charitable community service and/or is recognized by others as hard-working, congenial, and kind.