The Christina (McLaren) Davis Environmental Science Scholarship

Gerald Davis and his wife, purchased a house with 40 acres of land in Southwick over a half-century ago where they raised their family with great joy, until his wife Christina (McLaren) Davis passed away in 1978. After learning about research and land surveys that Westfield State students were doing on roadways in Westfield from his granddaughter, Holly Walsh ’17, Gerald decided to donate the property to Westfield State. Once the land was sold, the proceeds were used to create the Christina (McLaren) Davis Environmental Science Scholarship at Westfield State.

In addition, the purchaser of the property has granted an easement to the land that allows students access to the back field to study the environment. Chair of the Department of Environmental Science, Dr. John E. McDonald, Jr., said “The land allows us to do hands-on experiments in which students get to apply classroom knowledge and make connections.”