BANGOR — On September 14, Husson hosted an event in the Beardsley Meeting House honoring Worthington Scholarship Foundation scholarship recipients attending the university. A South Thomaston native and a Frankfort native were among those honorees.

The Foundation awarded $6.4 million dollars to over four hundred 2022 graduates from partner public high schools in 11 Maine counties including Franklin, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo and Washington. With the addition of high schools from Aroostook and Kennebec counties, the Foundation expects to award 800 new scholarships in 2023.

“I feel very privileged to be a Worthington Scholar,” said Mikaela Alley, a student from Frankfort, who is in Husson University’s Bachelor of Science in exercise science/Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program.

“As I listened to the Worthingtons’ speeches at the event, if made me feel like they cared about me and that they’ll always have my back,” she said, in a Husson University news release.

Dylan Whitamore, a fourth year Husson University student from South Thomaston studying elementary education, agreed.

“Being a Worthington Scholar has helped me out a lot and motivated me to be the best student and the best future teacher I can be. I know that the Foundation always has people I can reach out to if I need anything. They really mean a lot to me and I thank them for helping me to attend this university.”

At the event, Beverly and David Worthington spoke to the scholarship recipients about their own experiences in overcoming hurdles to reach their educational goals. The Worthingtons also talked about how people were willing to provide assistance because the two of them were willing to do what was needed to succeed. Having reached their educational goals, Beverly and David are now committed to helping Maine students do the same.

“Worthington Scholarships are awarded to students here at Husson who have significant academic potential,” said Dr. Robert A. Clark, president of the University. “We deeply appreciate the Worthingtons’ efforts to help keep education affordable in our state – an important goal that Husson University, as one of the New England’s best educational values, enthusiastically shares and supports.”

Worthington Scholars are selected based on their need and merit.

“We also choose our scholars based on their grit and determination to make a better future for themselves and our belief that individual students can reach their educational and career goals,” said Beverly Worthington. “In an effort to assist these students, the Foundation provides Worthington Scholars with success mentors who guide them throughout their journey. We are in the Scholars’ corner every step the way.”  

Worthington Scholarships are offered to eligible students who are recent graduates from Maine high schools included in the Foundation’s “Participating Colleges” list. Scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters and students can receive up to $17,000 to attend a four-year college or up to $14,250 if they begin their educational journey at a two-year Maine community college and continue on to a participating four-year college.

Lynne Coy-Ogan, EdD, the university’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, Michael Fox, Husson’s vice president of enrollment management and Julie Bourgoin, the executive director of the Worthington Scholarship Foundation, also spoke at the event.

“This event was Husson’s way of saying that we believe in, and want to support these students as they work toward their degrees, said Fox. “We’re confident that they can make it.” Students attending the reception appreciated the opportunity to meet the individuals who made their scholarships possible.

Thaddeus Fine is a first year student in Husson University’s New England School of Communications who is pursuing a degree in video production. According to this student from Hampden, becoming a Worthington Scholar is more than just getting money to pay for his education.

“Becoming a Worthington Scholar means that I’m part of a community,” he said. “There were lots of different people at the event. We all had different backgrounds and all came from different places here in Maine. Regardless of where we came from, we’re all working toward the same goal of completing a degree. That’s what binds us together as a community. It’s not just a monetary connection, it’s an emotional one as well.”

“Thanks to the Worthington Scholarship Foundation, qualified Maine students can pursue a college education without having to take on additional loans to fund their education,” said Lynne Coy-Ogan, EdD, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “The support the Worthington Scholarship Foundation provides will have a positive impact on these Husson students for the rest of their lives. On behalf of everyone at the University, I want to thank Beverly and David Worthington for making these generous scholarships possible. Our students are grateful beyond measure.”

For more than 120 years, Husson University has shown its adaptability and strength in delivering educational programs that prepare future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent a superior value in higher education. The hallmarks of a Husson education include advanced knowledge delivered through quality educational programs. According to a recent analysis of tuition and fees by U.S. News & World Report, Husson University is one of the most affordable private colleges in New England. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.