Lesley’s first student recipient of the Mary Mindess Scholarship will be chosen for the 2013-2014 academic year, thanks to the generosity of 175 donors who topped the matching gift goal of $25,000. This past spring on the occasion of Professor Mindess’ retirement from Lesley, President Moore announced that Lesley would match the first $25,000 donated in honor of Mary Mindess, so the amount of this endowed scholarship fund now exceeds $50,000. The income generated from this scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving student who otherwise would not be able to attend Lesley University.
Mary Mindess is grateful to all those alumni and friends who have contributed in her honor to establish this endowed scholarship that will benefit this and future generations of Lesley students and serve as a lasting tribute to her. She says, “I am deeply moved by the generosity shown to Lesley on my behalf by so many past students and friends. My 53 years of teaching at Lesley have been filled with wonderful memories. I have watched thousands of Lesley students graduate to become excellent teachers in schools throughout the country and abroad. I am so pleased that this scholarship will contribute to the continuation of this tradition.”
Beloved long-time Lesley University Professor Mary Mindess retired in 2012 after 53 years of service. Her legacy of excellence in teaching and leadership in her field will be remembered for many years to come, and her reach extends beyond the walls of the university and into the classrooms of the teachers she trained, and the many attendees of the New England Kindergarten Conferences she led.
To honor Mary's exemplary career and service to the university, she was awarded an honorary doctoral degree at the 2012 Commencement.
“Over the span of her career, Mary has positively influenced thousands of teachers of young children, and one can only imagine the total number of children who in turn have benefited by her teaching, her scholarship and her passion,” said President Moore. “This scholarship is our modest way of recognizing her impressive achievements.” Lesley University is grateful to everyone who contributed to the Mary Mindess Scholarship fund and made it possible to honor Mary in this special and lasting way. Many of our donors shared their thoughts on Mary's career and how her work had influenced them over the years.