When John W. Moroney ’27 began his freshman year at Providence College in the fall of 1923 it commenced a relationship with PC—as a student, faculty member, and benefactor—that continues to this day. With the establishment of the John W. and Helen F. Moroney Scholarship Fund in April, it’s a relationship that is destined to continue for many more years.

“My husband loved Providence College and often thought about establishing an endowed scholarship fund but never got around to it,” said his widow, Helen, of Burrillville, R.I. “Now, I have.”

Mr. Moroney taught business at PC for 35 years, retiring as associate professor in 1966. He died in 1972.

Mrs. Moroney established the John W. and Helen F. Moroney Scholarship Fund with a gift of $50,000. Scholarships will be awarded to students with financial need and academic merit majoring in one of the business concentrations.

“This scholarship is just the latest benefaction from Helen, who has long been a loyal and supportive friend of the College,” said Joseph P. Brum ’68, special assistant to the president for development projects. “It’s a privilege to honor her and her husband in such a productive way as an endowed scholarship fund.”

Brum said Mrs. Moroney had made gifts previously to the College to support faculty, to assist in a capital campaign, and for other endeavors. Mrs. Moroney said she hopes the establishment of the scholarship fund will inspire others to give generously to PC.

The John W. and Helen F. Moroney Scholarship Fund isn’t the only endowed scholarship Mrs. Moroney envisions. She said she intends to contact Brum soon about establishing a scholarship under her maiden name, Fairbrother, in honor of her three brothers and two nephews, who all attended PC: James G. Fairbrother ’35, John H. Fairbrother Jr. ’37, and Edward F. Fairbrother ’49, and Edward’s sons Peter W. Fairbrother ’81 and John Fairbrother ’94.

Mrs. Moroney is still actively involved at age 87 in overseeing operations at the Echo Lake Campground, which she owns. It is located on Moroney Road in the Pascoag section of Burrillville. She said Dominicans from PC celebrate the 5:00 p.m. Mass at the campground on Saturdays during the summer.