A generous gift from alumna and former Board of Trustees member Linda Frame Cleary ’76, along with her children, has proudly established The Cleary Family Scholarship Fund at Endicott College. The scholarship funds will be awarded to students who are in strong academic standing and have significant financial need.
Cleary, who is a passionate believer in the power of education and philanthropy, hopes that the gift will alleviate financial stressors that prevent students from completing their degree and pursuing their dreams, including those affected by COVID-19.
“Philanthropy is very important to our family. Not all are as blessed as we are and it is best to take care of others. We have taught our children to help others when you are able.”—Linda Frame Cleary ’76
Continue reading to learn more about Cleary, why she decided to give back to her alma mater, and why others should consider it too.
What did you study at Endicott and how did your experience here prepare you for your professional and personal life?
My field of study was early childhood education. After I received my associate degree from Endicott, I continued to get my bachelor’s at C.W. Post. Following graduation, I taught third grade, sixth grade, and then I joined the Village Preschool of Sea Cliff, N.Y., which was my favorite place to work. Working in early childhood education helped immensely in raising my two children.
How did you come to the decision to set aside such a generous gift for the College?
I believe in education. It is so difficult for students in this country to get a degree and not come out of college deeply in debt. We have had a blessed life and we believe in giving back. As a family, we had made donations to all our children’s lower education schools so it was a natural decision to donate to Endicott.
Do you have a message to other alumni who may be considering giving to Endicott?
Please find it in your heart to donate when called upon. Your gift does not have to be in huge numbers. Buy a brick on the Alumni Walk, a theater chair, or a candy bar to help a good cause. I implore you to take a trip to your beloved College that gave you the chance to explore your interests. Come to a reunion and see the changes that are happening on campus; you will be amazed and have a first-class experience.
“We decided to put our donation toward scholarships where it was most needed at this time, due to COVID-19 and so many students with financial hardships. Parents are losing jobs and finding it hard to cover overhead and this donation will help families facing the difficult choice of having their child drop out of college.”—Linda Frame Cleary ’76