The William Spears/Mary-Bernadette Handy Memorial Scholarship
The scholarships are dedicated to the memory of Mr. William T. Spears and Miss Mary-Bernadette H. Handy, both of whom were killed in a tragic automobile accident on February 28, 1982. Bill and Mary-Bernadette graduated from Westfield State College in 1980 and were engaged to be married in the spring of 1982. Both were active members of the college community during their undergraduate days at Westfield State, and their commitment and dedication to the College continued after their graduation. Each was posthumously selected as Alumnus/Alumna of the year in 1983.
Impact
“While reading about William Spears and Mary-Bernadette Handy it was obvious to me that they held a great sense of community. As a student here at Westfield State University I hope to be able to have a great impact on this community as well.”
-Emily McCullen ’18, Social Work
“I am so genuinely thankful to receive the Williams Spears/Mary-Bernadette Handy Scholarship. I learned that both William Spears and Mary-Bernadette Handy were dedicated to the Westfield State community, and I believe I also hold this dedication and spirit. I am so honored to be named a recipient of this award and I hope to impact the community like Mr. Spears and Ms. Handy did.”
-Olivia Hamparsoomian ’20, Psychology
“I hope that I can have as great an impact on the Westfield State community as Mr. Spears and Ms. Handy did. In their honor, I will do my very best to implement by example the most tight-knit, inclusive, and compassionate community here at Westfield State University. "
-Paul Soucy ’21, Environmental Science
“I feel honored to be selected for the Spears/Handy scholarship. I am so excited about this! Thank you so much! It makes a huge difference for the amount I will have to take out in loans.”
-Jordan Fournier ’24, Criminal Justice
“I want to thank the donors of the Westfield State Foundation, William Spears and Mary-Bernadette Handy Memorial Scholarship for recently awarding me with their generous donation. My goal during my past three years of school has been to graduate with no student loans. It has not been easy, but your generosity has made the process significantly easier.”
-Danielle Collins ’22, Movement Science and Psychology