The McGrainor Scholarship Fund

 

 

 

 

 

The Scholarship Made the Difference

At one of our at- home meetings with Hudson residents, Maggie McGrainor heard us talk about scholarship funds and what they can mean to students realizing their educational dreams.  For some kids it is the difference between a college degree or none at all.

This aroused in her emotions about her Father’s untimely death when she was in her sophomore year at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.” I shared a special relationship with my Father,” says Maggie, “I was devastated with the loss.” Maggie had not given much thought about how she would go forward with her education.  After the funeral, the Dean of her school stepped forward and offered a welcome and timely solution: an offer of a $500 annual scholarship and a part-time job at the college library. For Maggie this support made the difference and its true value has been with her all these years. Maggie’s Husband, Ron benefitted from a scholarship during his college years as well.

Maggie decided to establish a scholarship fund at Hudson Community Foundation as a memorial to her Husband, Ron. In 2006 she established the Ronald and Margaret McGrainor Scholarship Fund at Hudson Community Foundation. Maggie specified that annual scholarships grants be made in two ways: In Ron’s name, for scholarships in engineering and in Maggie’s name, for scholarships in the Arts.

HCF’s scholarship program is now approved by the Board of Education. The McGrainor scholarships are administered by the Hudson Public Schools Endowment Fund (HPSEF). Hudson Community Foundation coordinates these arrangements and funds grants to the School which awards the grants in the McGrainor family’s name.

“It’s our way of giving back to our community.  Scholarships made a difference in our lives. We hope that our efforts will make a meaningful difference in the lives of other students,” says Maggie. “The Senior Awards Assembly in May is a special event for me and my family. It’s a wonderful experience to hear and feel the appreciation of the kids.”