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Young, smart and very grateful. That descriptor
fit the nearly 100 students who attended the first-ever reception
for scholars and their benefactors at Holy Cross. The December
gathering, followed by the traditional recital of Advent
Lessons and Carols in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel, began
another tradition on The Hill that will become an annual
holiday
event for scholarship
donors and their students.
Bringing donors and scholarship recipients together connects faces, names and
hearts to the tremendous philanthropy of Holy Cross alumni and friends, said
Stephen Ainlay, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College.
Ainlay spoke to the gathering on behalf of Acting President Frank Vellaccio,
who was unable to get back
to Worcester in time for the event. He expressed Vellaccio's deep regret at missing
the reception, adding that it was the culmination of his (Vellaccio's) and Fr.
Brooks' (president-emeritus) efforts to change College policies to allow the
names of donors to be shared with recipients.
"We want to publicly recognize the generosity of our alumni
and friends of the College, and thank them for creating new
and life-changing opportunities through the scholarships
they have established," Ainlay said. "Some of those generous
individuals are with us only in spirit-though Mike Joyce
of the Class of '79 found his way here from the Chicago area.
Also with us in spirit are those who left behind legacies
for the generations to come and those in whose honor or memory,
like Mary Clare Joyce, Garrett Spillane III, and Kieran Dale
Sr., scholarships were given by family and
friends."
Ainlay thanked the benefactors for investing
in both "the future of these bright young leaders and in the future of
the College."
"Your scholarship gifts will carry in perpetuity your names or those whom you
love or admire, and want to honor and remember," he said. "Those names-Glowik,
Scully, Migliaccio and Higgins among them-will be spoken aloud each time your
scholarship is awarded to bring another
gifted student to Holy Cross."
The journey up the hill cannot be completed
alone, Ainlay noted. "Through scholarships, our alumni and friends extend their
reach to take the hand of gifted young people to enable them either to begin
to climb The Hill or to complete a climb already begun."
The dean also had a message for the students
in the crowd.
"Remember this evening and the person who
extended a hand to you," Ainlay said. "I encourage you to give back to Holy Cross
students when you are in a position to do so; to honor the name that your scholarship
bears by providing life-changing opportunities for
the generations that follow."
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