Donor funded scholarships allow donors to meet individual student needs through annually funded or endowed scholarships. Donors determine criteria and preferences for their scholarships.
Listing of Donor Sponsored Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to part-time evening law students who have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is renewable when the student continues study at the University and makes satisfactory progress toward degree completion. This scholarship was established through the generosity of Maurice H. and Rebekah M. Baitler. Maurice received his law degree from Northeastern University-Springfield Division (later Western New England University) in 1942 and later went on to receive his LLM in Taxation from Boston University. A partner in the law firm Baitler, LaCroix, & Fuller, Maurice practiced taxation law and once sat before the Massachusetts Supreme Court, along with his former partner Jean R. LaCroix, on a famous murder case involving Kenneth Chapin. Maurice was also a Free Mason and a former adjunct professor of law at the Law School. Rebekah was a graduate of the Maine College of Business and worked for 15 years at the Springfield District Court in the Parking Ticket Office. Rebekah was a life member of the order of the Eastern Star, Madonna Chapter, and a former President of both the Agawam Women’s Club and the Evening Alliance of the Unitarian Universalist Society. Rebekah also was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union; World Federalists, USA; Southern Poverty Law Center; Simon Wiesenthal Center of CA; and the MA Chapter Against the Death Penalty. Both Maurice and Rebekah were long time residents of Wilbraham, MA.
This scholarship is awarded to students from the Massachusetts counties of Hampden or Hampshire who have demonstrated financial need. The endowed scholarship is made possible by a contribution from The Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, Inc., a private family foundation directed by the family and descendants of the late Frank Stanley Beveridge, founder of Stanley Home Products, Inc. Through the years, the Foundation has been a generous supporter of Western New England University. Joseph Beveridge Palmer, a director of the Foundation, is a 1967 graduate of Western New England University.
Scholarships are awarded to part-time Evening Division law students who are in their third or fourth year, who demonstrate academic excellence, and who also may have financial need. This endowed scholarship fund was established by Rodney E. Blakesley, who received his undergraduate degree from Western New England University in 1962 and his law degree from the School of Law in 1969; and his wife Gail M. Blakesley, who received her undergraduate degree from the Western New England University in 1962. Rodney and Gail were devoted to Western New England and created the endowed fund through a charitable remainder trust they established specifically for this purpose.
A scholarship is available for a returning law student based on his or her financial need. This scholarship was generously endowed by John H Breck, III. John received his Juris Doctorate degree from Western New England University School of Law in 1983 and currently works in the Naples, Florida office of the Minneapolis-based national accounting firm, LarsenAllen, LLP. Prior to joining LarsonAllen, John was an attorney with the Massachusetts Department of Review (Estate Tax section.)
This scholarship is awarded to students with demonstrated financial need. The scholarship was established through the generosity of Leon J. Carman, a graduate of the Western New England University School of Law, Class of 1941, and recipient of the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters in 1998 from Western New England University; Mr. Carman’s son Barry I. Carman is also a graduate of the School of Law, Class of 1993; and his son Tracy E. Carman is an alumnus of the College of Business, having earned the MBA in 1990. The members of the Carman family have been longtime generous supporters of Western New England, donating and helping raise funds annually for the institution and its School of Law.
A scholarship is available to a returning student enrolled in the School of Law based on a combination of financial need and merit. There is a preference for a student who in their legal studies is concentrating in the area of real estate law. This scholarship was generously created by the CATIC Foundation, Inc. Founded in 1999, The CATIC Foundation, Inc. is the charitable arm of CATIC Financial, Inc. The Foundation’s mission is to provide support to non-profit organizations and foundations with an emphasis on non-profit law centers and teaching organizations. CATIC is New England's largest domestic and only Bar-Related® title insurance underwriter. The Company has been in business for more than forty years and has seven offices throughout New England and issues its policies through a network of more than 3,000 attorney agents.
A scholarship is available to a returning law student based upon a combination of academic merit and financial need. This scholarship was generously established by Cantor Colburn, one of the nation’s leading intellectual property law firms. The establishment of this scholarship was recommended by Philmore H. Colburn II, a 1991 graduate of Western New England University School of Law and a co-managing partner of Cantor Colburn.
A scholarship is awarded annually to a part-time law student who has completed at least two years of study. The recipient must be employed on a full-time basis, have a financial need, and rank in the upper half of the class. Established in memory of David N. Case, Class of 1980, by his family.
Scholarship assistance is granted to law students in financial need with preference given to students who graduated from high schools located in Hampden County, MA. Miss Connell lived in Springfield and was for 32 years the first Assistant Registrar for the Hampden County Probate Court.
This scholarship for law students with demonstrated academic merit and financial need was generously created by Judge Sidney M. and Mrs. Anne V. Cooley. Judge Cooley served as a District Court Judge from 1960 until 1973, including a term as the Presiding Justice of the District Court of western Hampden County. A former Major in the U.S. Army, Judge Cooley is the recipient of the prestigious Bronze Star. He began practicing law in 1946 with his older brother, Attorney Edward B. Cooley. In 1955, Judge Cooley and his brother formed the firm Cooley, Furcolo, and Cooley, the predecessor to the Cooley Shrair law firm in Springfield, MA. Judge Cooley received his law degree from Western New England University (then Springfield-Northeastern) in 1941. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1984 and an honorary Juris Doctor in 2001 from Western New England University and honorary degrees from Westfield State University and Elms College. In 1986, Judge Cooley was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by Western New England University.
Mrs. Cooley was a graduate of Louisiana State University and received a master’s degree in rehabilitation from Springfield College and an honorary degree from Elms College. She was an active volunteer for decades at Wesson Women’s Hospital at Baystate Medical Center, Meals on Wheels, the Jewish Nursing Home, the Massachusetts Association for the Blind, Rachel’s Table, the Gray House, and the Work Opportunity Center, having served on the board of directors of several of those organizations. Mrs. Cooley passed away in 2012.
Judge and Mrs. Cooley have both been recognized and honored with numerous community awards, including the prestigious William Pynchon Award. Their longstanding support of many Western New England University initiatives and endeavors is exemplary.
Scholarships of varying amounts are granted to undergraduate accounting students and to law students. The scholarship was established by family, friends, colleagues, and the Western New England Board of Trustees in memory of Henry T. Downey (1920-1973) and Margaret S. Downey (1916-2006). Mr. Downey earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Northeastern University-Springfield Division in 1950 and his law degree from the Western New England School of Law in 1956. His dedication to Western New England is demonstrated by his service on the Corporate Board from 1960 to 1964 and on the Board of Trustees from 1964 to 1973. He served as vice-chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1971 to 1973. Mr. Downey played a key role in establishing the full-time law program at the School of Law. Mrs. Downey earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Northeastern University-Springfield Division in 1949 and received an Honorary Baccalaureate degree from Western New England in 2001.
A merit scholarship to reward a second-year law student who best exemplifies academic achievement beyond expectations. The scholarship fund was established by family, friends, and colleagues of Donald Dunn ’83JD at the suggestion of the Board of Directors of the Law Alumni Association. The fund is a lasting tribute to Professor Dunn, who served the School of Law for 30 years, five of them as dean.
A scholarship of not less than $1,000 is awarded to students who are enrolled full-time as undergraduates or in the School of Law and who have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is renewable when the student continues full-time study at the University and makes satisfactory progress toward degree completion. This scholarship was funded by a gift to the endowment fund by University Trustee Frank P. Fitzgerald ’68BSBA/’73JD.
This scholarship is awarded to students who are pursuing degrees in business and/or law and who have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship was established by the wife of former Massachusetts Governor Foster Furcolo in honor of his outstanding efforts to facilitate the education of worthy students.
Awards are made to students who have outstanding records either as undergraduates or in the School of Law. This scholarship was established in memory of Harley B. Goodrich ’27BBA/’42LLB, secretary of the Board of Trustees of Western New England from 1942-1974, by members of Pi Tau Kappa fraternity and the Western New England trustees, and Francis A. Johnson. Mr. Johnson earned the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Western New England in 1959 and the Master of Business Administration in 1961.
This scholarship was established to assist the School of Law attract and retain students of the highest quality and prospect for the legal profession. The scholarship was established through the generosity of Ronald D. Grodsky, who graduated with from the School of Law with the Class of 1973.
A scholarship is awarded to a student entering his or her final year of law school who has demonstrated financial need and has solid academic skills. There is a preference for students who have demonstrated a strong interest in ethical decision-making issues that arise in the area of health law.
A scholarship is available to a returning law student based upon academic merit. This scholarship was established by the Knight Family, in memory of Jerry P. Katz, a 1983 graduate of Western New England University School of Law. Jerry P. Katz was a founding partner in the Springfield law firm of Goldsmith, Katz and Argenio, P.C. His practice concentrated on real estate, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant, corporation and business planning, estate planning, and civil litigation.
This scholarship is awarded to a full-time, second-year law student who is in the top half of the student’s class and shows indicia to participate effectively and responsibly in the legal profession. Preference will be given to a student who graduated from a secondary school in New England. The scholarship fund was established through the generosity of Helen A. Klak and is named for Helen and her three sisters—Julia Klak, Jean Klak Wells, and Amelia Klak Sherry. Helen Klak worked for Western New England from 1953 to 1966. She established this scholarship fund in recognition of the impressive growth and success of Western New England University and its School of Law.
A scholarship based on demonstrated financial need and academic merit is awarded to a full-time law student. For award to an incoming Western New England University School of Law student, academic merit is defined as being above the 75th percentile of the LSAT scores for that entering class; in order to retain the scholarship, the recipient must be in the top 25% of his or her School of Law class or selected for the Law Review. For award to a returning student, academic merit is defined as being in the top 25% of his or her School of Law class or selected for the Law Review. The scholarship can be used as a supplement to other financial aid. This endowed scholarship fund was established by Amy and Richard L. Kohan. Richard graduated from the School of Law with the Class of 1982.
Scholarships are awarded to returning law students who have demonstrated academic ability and have financial need. Funds supporting these scholarships have been donated by the School of Law alumni.
A scholarship is available for a returning law student based on financial need and merit. There is a preference for a student who has exhibited a commitment toward public interest law through employment or volunteer work. This scholarship was generously created from contributions donated by the faculty and staff of the School of Law.
A scholarship based on demonstrated financial need and academic merit is awarded to a full-time second year law student. Academic merit is defined as being in the top 25% of the student’s School of Law class or selected for the Law Review. This endowed scholarship fund was established by a gift from The I.W. Foundation at the suggestion of Mark D. Levi, Class of 1976.
A scholarship is available to a second-year full-time law student based upon a combination of financial need and merit. This scholarship is renewable for the recipient's third year provided the student continues to meet the above criteria. This scholarship was generously created by Leonard and Barbara McCue. Leonard McCue is a 1982 graduate of the School of Law and is a principal in the law firm, Leonard A. McCue & Associates in Bradenton, FL. Leonard and Barbara currently reside in St. Petersburg, FL.
A scholarship based on financial need is awarded to returning law students with preference given to students with disabilities. The scholarship fund was established in memory of John J. O’Connor, former acting dean of the School of Law and Professor of Law from 1963 to 1987.
One half of available funds will be available to graduates from Marian High School located in Framingham, MA. The recipient will be the applicant with the highest grade point average, at least exceeding 3.0 over the last three years of high school. The remaining one half will be awarded to a graduate of Chicopee High School who also graduated from St. Stanislaus School in Chicopee, MA, and who has maintained at least a grade point average of 3.0, with the award going to the applicant with the highest average. The scholarship recipients can be enrolled in any of the undergraduate divisions of the University or enrolled in a masters program in the College of Engineering or enrolled in the School of Law. Francis Oleskiewicz is a Trustee Emeritus and a 1961 graduate of the School of Law.
Awarded to a third-year evening student who has demonstrated academic excellence and as financial need. The O’Malley Scholarship was established by friends of John M. P. O’Malley, Class of 1932, and a former adjunct professor at the School of Law.
A financial need scholarship is available to a returning law student from the Springfield area who in his/her life has demonstrated civic and/or community involvement, and academically has achieved a B average. This scholarship is renewable provided the recipient maintains a B average and continues to be involved in civic and/or community activities. This scholarship was established by the children and grandchildren of C. Norman Peacor in his memory. C. Norman Peacor was a business and civic leader who lives a life marked by dedicated civic involvement. Raising his family in Springfield and Monson, Mr. Peacor was actively involved in various community organizations including the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, President of the Boards of Directors of the Hampden County Radio Association and the Western Massachusetts section of Emergency Networks, and Chairman of the Pioneer Valler United Way. A former member of the Board of Trustees of Western New England from 1969-1994, Mr. Peacor spent most of his years as the Chairman of the Board, and was honored with the title of Trustee Emeritus upon his retirement from the board. During his tenure on the board, Mr. Peacor was instrumental in helping to raise the money necessary to build D'Amour Library and in establishing the School of Law's full-time program. Mr. Peacor, a graduate of Tufts University (Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude) and the University of Michigan (Masters in Mathematics) believed strongly in the power of education and in developing opportunities for people to contribute to their community. This scholarship is to help provide and opportunity for a Western New England Law student to begin or continue to achieve their goal of a legal degree.
Scholarships are awarded to full- or part-time students with demonstrated financial need. Students can be enrolled in any of the Colleges of the University or the School of Law. At least twenty-five percent (25%) of the scholarship amount each year is to be awarded to an evening student(s) and at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the scholarship amount each year is to be awarded to a law student(s). The remaining awards may go to any student with financial need that meets the remaining criteria. This scholarship was established through the generosity of Gerard L. Pellegrini ’57JD.
A scholarship is available to a second-year evening law student based upon financial need and a GPA of at least 3.0. This scholarship is renewable for the student’s third and fourth years provided the student continues to demonstrate good academic performance and has financial need. This scholarship was created by the Red Fox Foundation, a tax-exempt entity devoted to empowering determined individuals who both dream big and word hard. The Red Fox Foundation is specifically supporting night school students because they have the strength to simultaneously work hard, raise their families and improve their lives.
A scholarship is awarded to a full or part-time student who has completed the first full year of law school, is of good character, is raising a family and has demonstrated financial need. There is a preference for a female student. This scholarship was generously created by Mary Rose Ryan O’Connell, her siblings, Maureen Ryan-Wise and W. Michael Ryan, and the rest of the Ryan family to honor their parents. Mary Rose, Maureen, and Michael all received their Juris Doctorate degrees from Western New England University School of Law; Mary Rose in 1981, Maureen in 1975, and Michael in 1976.
A scholarship based on academic merit is awarded to a female applicant who has interrupted her education and is seeking to enter the School of Law. Preference is given to any woman who interrupted her education after college for marriage, child rearing, starting work, moving to a different location, or economic reasons. This scholarship was establish by Mrs. Beatrice S. Nelen.
Scholarships of varying amounts are awarded with preference given to residents of eastern Pennsylvania or western Massachusetts. Mr. Shultz was the first director of development at Western New England and served from 1958 until 1973. Mrs. Dorothy P. Larson was his assistant. They worked diligently to raise funds for the first six buildings on the new campus of Western New England.
A scholarship is awarded to a woman in her last year at the School of Law who is a member of the Western New England University Law Review. Recipients must have demonstrated a potential for professional excellence and have financial need. This scholarship was established in memory of Catherine Bean Street, Class of 1990, by family and friends.
The Student Bar Association awards two scholarships:
The Joanne Grummel Endowed Memorial Scholarship is based on academic success, extracurricular activities, and economic need. The scholarship was established through contributions by family and friends of Joanne Grummel ’83JD.
The John J. O’Connor Memorial Scholarship recognizes those individuals who exhibit a commitment to serve the School of Law and community. Academic achievement and financial need are considered.
An award is made to applicants who have demonstrated unusual determination in overcoming obstacles in order to pursue a legal education. This scholarship was established by family and friends of Marjorie Sullivan.
This scholarship is awarded to a second-, third-, or fourth-year law student with demonstrated financial need and academic achievement. The award was established in memory of George Thompson, who taught at the School of Law.
Minimum scholarships of $10,000 are available to students from Western Massachusetts enrolled in the School of Law. There is a preference for the recipients of these scholarships to be actively employed while attending law school. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 either as an entering or returning student. In order to retain this scholarship in future years, the recipients must continue to meet all requirements of the fund. This scholarship was generously established through a bequest from June Lester in memory of her husband, J. Raymond Lester ’39BBA/’56JD. After graduating from law school, Ray went into private practice in Springfield, MA, focusing on real estate and estate planning.
Scholarships are made to returning evening law students with demonstrated financial need. Students must maintain a minimum average of a B, or its equivalent. Where there are two or more students that equally meet the above criteria then there is a preference for the scholarship to be awarded first to a student from Hampden County, Massachusetts. This scholarship was created through the generosity of Paul Bloom. Paul received his Bachelor of Law from Northeastern-Springfield Division (now Western New England University) in 1938. Paul was awarded an honorary Juris Doctor in 2001 from Western New England University. Paul was married for 69 years to his beloved wife, Charlotte, who passed away in 2007. Together, Paul and Charlotte had two children, Elliot and the late Ronni Susan, who passed away in 1984. Paul has two grandsons from his son Elliot, Matthew and Jeffrey. Paul co-owned Bloom's Umbrella Company with his brothers, Jack and Herman. Bloom's later became a leader in selling cameras, copy machines and graphic arts materials for the printing trade, as well as became a successful mail order business. Paul also founded Key Productions, Inc., which ran trade shows across the United States. Paul was President of the Graphic Arts Association of America (GAAA). He organized and headed the New England Association of Exposition Managers (NEAM) which merged with the National Association of Exposition Managers (NAEM) and later became the International Association of Exposition Managers (IAEM). He was a member of the American Copy Dealers Association (ACDA), Industrial Photographic Dealers of America (IPDA), the Office Reproduction Dealers Association (ORDA), Industrial Photographic Dealers of America (IPDA), Council of Photographic Suppliers (COPS), The National Association Speakers Bureau and the Society of Show Organizers (SOSO). Paul was listed in The Who's Who in Finance and Industry, was a trustee of the Jewish Endowment Foundation for 20 years, was Vice Chairman of the Longmeadow Zoning Board of Appeals for two decades, a member of Esoteric Lodge of Masons, a Shriner of Melha Temple and belonged to many other charitable, industrial, religious, and civic organizations. Paul Bloom, businessman and philanthropist, passed away in January 2015 at the age of 99.
A scholarship is available to a law student based upon a combination of academic merit and financial need. This scholarship was generously established by Martha Harrison, on behalf of the entire Edwards family, in memory of her father, Robert A. Edwards. Robert was a 1941 graduate of Northeastern University’s Springfield Division, now Western New England University, with a Bachelor of Laws degree. He was honored in 2001 with an honorary Juris Doctorate degree from Western New England University School of Law. A 45 year employee of Monarch Life Insurance Company, Robert was an Army veteran of World War II and an active member of several community and professional organizations. Through this scholarship his legacy lives on by inspiring future generations to achieve their life goals.
A scholarship is available to a law student beginning in their first-year who has a history of volunteer work with in or for the benefit of the LGBT community. There is a preference for a student who combined with this spirit of advocacy has academic achievement that places them within the top 50% of the entering class and who continues to remain in the top 50% of the class in order to maintain the award into future years. Demonstrated financial need should be considered equally to academic achievement in selecting a qualified candidate. If the student continues to meet the criteria, the scholarship is renewable the student’s full time at the School of Law. The scholarship was established through the generosity of classmates, Elena Gervino ’88JD and Craig Raabe ’88JD.
A scholarship is available to a female law student who while attending law school is also raising a family. This scholarship was generously established by Suzanna Anstine Norbeck ’82JD. Suzanna is an ambassador for and founding member of Mediators Beyond Borders International. This non-profit organization is committed to providing peaceful dispute resolution teachings to global communities by building capacity, promoting mediation through advocacy, and providing mediation services. This is accomplished through the development and implementation of educational and public awareness programs for mediation, conflict management, and informal problem solving techniques. One of Suzanna's proudest successes through Mediators Beyond Borders International includes a seven-year involvement with the UNFCC-COPS, the UN annual climate change conference. An avid traveler, Suzanna resides in Osprey, FL.
The Joanne Grummel Endowed Memorial Scholarship is based on academic success, extracurricular activities, and economic need. The scholarship was established through contributions by family and friends of Joanne Grummel L'83.
A scholarship is available to a student or students at Western New England University, with a preference for a student(s) in the School of Law showing academic promise and financial need. However, the scholarship may be awarded to any undergraduate student(s) showing academic promise and need. This scholarship is renewable for the student's subsequent years at the University provided the student continues to qualify for the scholarship by maintaining good academic progress. This scholarship was generously established by Trustee Robert E. Salad, who received his juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law in 1983. Robert is a Partner and President at Cooper Levenson Law Firm in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where his son, Michael Salad ’12LLM, is also a Partner. Robert resides with his wife Phyllis in Linwood, New Jersey.
A scholarship is available to a second-year law student with financial need. Priority is to be given to students of Greek descent. Stella, John and Elizabeth Mazarakos, all of Springfield, MA, generously established this scholarship.
A scholarship is available to a returning law student based upon a combination of academic merit and financial need. The recipient should be in the top third of their class and concentrating their legal education through course work and experiential learning opportunities toward the area of transactional law. This scholarship was generously established by Joseph S. Aboyoun. Joseph is a 1978 graduate of Western New England University School of Law. Joseph is a partner in the New Jersey law firm, Aboyoun & Heller, LLC. A business lawyer, Joseph focuses his practice around automobile dealers and those with whom they do business, including sales and acquisitions, franchise disputes, and succession planning as well as being a skilled negotiator and mediator.
A scholarship is available to an entering first-year law student from a diverse background based upon financial need, with a secondary preference for first-generation law students. The scholarship was established by the MassMutual Law Department in memory of team member Joanne Eleanor Hendricks. MassMutual is an American mutual life insurance company, founded in 1851 when 31 founders pooled together $100,000 to start a company in Springfield, Massachusetts to offer protection to their friends and neighbors. MassMutual’s purpose has been the same since that day: helping people secure their future and protect the ones they love. The MassMutual Law Department is deeply committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, and believes that the development of a pipeline of diverse attorneys is critical to that effort.
A scholarship is available to a returning full-time law student based upon a combination of academic merit and financial need. This scholarship is renewable for the student’s subsequent year at the School of Law provided the student remains in the top 25% of their class while enrolled in law school. Judge Michael B. Powers established this scholarship. Michael received his juris doctorate, summa cum laude, from the School of Law in 1982. Michael is the Town Justice for the Town of Clarence, NY. He is also Of Counsel for the law firm of Phillips Lytle, LLP focusing his legal work primarily in the areas of commercial litigation and product liability defense.
A scholarship is available to law student based upon financial need. This scholarship is renewable for the student’s subsequent years at the School of Law provided the student remains in good standing. This scholarship was established by Eli B. Basch, a 1976 graduate of the School of Law. Eli is a principal partner in the law firm of Basch & Keegan in upstate New York. Eli’s practice focuses on personal injury cases.
A scholarship is available to either a returning law student or an undergraduate student focusing their studies toward pre-law or legal studies (including students enrolled in the University’s 3+3 Law program). The award is based upon a combination of academic merit and financial need. The scholarship is renewable for the recipient’s entire time at the University, provided the recipient continues to meet the above criteria. This scholarship was generously established by Carmel A. Caramagna. Carmel is a 1984 graduate of Western New England University School of Law and a member of the University’s Board of Trustees. Carmel is currently the Senior Vice President and Director of Commercial and International Insurance Services for Westcor Land Title Insurance Company in New York.
