Tsongas scholars tell how award opened doors

“It was like a dream come true,” said the Massachusetts College of Art and Design sophomore, who spoke at the ceremony. “It makes me push myself harder. I honestly feel like I’ve been blessed. A lot of people don’t have this opportunity, so I wouldn’t want to waste it.”

Fred Clark, executive officer of the Massachusetts State College Council of Presidents, said the program began in 1998 as a tribute to Tsongas, the late US senator who once chaired the then-state Board of Higher Education.

“The scholarships are merit-based,” he said. “It’s an effort to attract the best and brightest to the state colleges.”

The competitive scholarships cover an average of $6,900 per year for each student, provided they maintain a 3.3 grade-point average. If the 2009 class of 53 Tsongas scholars cash in all four years, it would be a nearly $1.5 million investment by the state and its nine colleges.

The program awarded more freshmen students this fall, but details on this year’s class will not be released until next year’s ceremony.

Scholarships have now been provided to about 450 students.

Kelly Quinn, a 2008 graduate of Salem State, said the assistance enabled her to complete two majors and win a national grant to begin an English-language program for orphans in the Dominican Republic.

“It allowed me to focus on my studies as opposed to my finances,” said Quinn, who is now pursuing her master’s in social work at Salem State. “The award has helped open doors for me and given me the confidence to open more doors for myself.”

Every year, the state colleges are required to name at least two recipients, but most choose about six, Clark said. Scholars are chosen for their “academic promise,” he said. Financial need does not factor into the decision, but the awards nearly always provide necessary assistance, officials said.

“These are unentitled kids who were not born on third base but who can now get there because their hard work and academic excellence have been recognized in a significant way,” Westfield State President Evan S. Dobelle said in a statement. Westfield awarded 10 Tsongas scholarships last fall and four this year.

Thaleia Tsongas Schlesinger, Tsongas’s sister, who represents her family at every award ceremony, said the late senator would have been honored to be attached to the program.

“He really cared about education. He would’ve been so happy,” she said. “And the parents who were there, they were so proud.”