 
Great things are happening on this campus. Now is the time to capture the momentum.President Janelle Ashley, Ph.D. At Worcester State College, access and affordability mean making it possible for our deserving and bright students of modest income to receive an exceptional education from our accomplished faculty. Faced with maintaining our academic excellence during an extended period of reduced state funding, we have had to increase student costs. For many deserving, academically gifted students, this is a significant burden. Without scholarship support, we fail these students—the Commonwealth’s future workforce and community leaders. [ More ] Mindful of our obligation to keep student costs sensible, we make budgetary decisions that threaten the excellence of our academic programs. Too often, our academic departments go without state-of-the-art equipment, software, professional development, conferences, field trips, etc. because the money available to us only goes so far. Without a consistent level of discretionary funds to provide these things, we face the disastrous possibility of losing our best and brightest faculty—and ultimately the quality education we proudly give our students. Our faculty—our best asset—are hardworking, dedicated, and highly skilled; they care deeply about our students; and they are actively engaged in elevating the field of knowledge in their discipline. They merit having what they need to teach effectively, efficiently, and inspirationally. Our students deserve the best that we can provide; yet access, affordability, and high quality do not come cheaply or easily. Now is the time for us to make an extra effort. I believe Worcester State is worthy of your support. [ Less ] | A Message from Bill O'NeilVolunteer Chair, Committee for Academic Development
As the former executive officer of the Massachusetts Council of Presidents and, before that, the president of the Mass College of Art, I have a unique perspective of the challenges and opportunities facing our state colleges. While it is a constant struggle to advocate for the needs of our students during difficult economic times, there is an undisputable, immediate need for high-quality, affordable public higher education that will ensure economic growth in the future. [ More ] I didn’t hesitate when President Ashley asked me to serve as the volunteer chair of this campaign’s Academic Development Committee. As a graduate student, I benefited firsthand from faculty who were professionally knowledgeable, cared deeply about helping their students succeed, and typically had their doctorates. I count myself among the thousands of alumni whose lives were forever changed for the better because of the education we received at WSC. When I later joined the WSC faculty and administration, I helped continue this tradition. Since becoming an active alumnus, I regularly see that the College’s current roster of professors is just as committed as my former colleagues and I were. With diminished state support, it is difficult for the College to help faculty stay current in their disciplines and secure state-of-the-art educational tools and equipment. It is more challenging for our faculty to embrace the wonderful trend of including undergraduates in academic research. It hinders faculty’s ability to bring prominent guest speakers and international lecturers to campus. It limits the opportunities for faculty to expand students’ knowledge with foreign study or service learning. Since my retirement, I have been an active member of the Worcester State Foundation, and I have been nothing but impressed with the quality of teaching and learning that still goes on here. Raising $3 million for academic development through the Opportunity for a Lifetime campaign will open up so many possibilities for WSC faculty and students. It will ensure that today’s students become just as appreciative of the education they receive at Worcester State as I am, and that is very important to me. [ Less ] |
