Two prominent members of the College community who have jointly devoted nearly 80 years to enhancing the education of thousands of students have pledged $50,000 to establish a scholarship fund for deserving minority students who major in elementary or secondary education.

Dr. Francis P. MacKay, retired associate professor of chemistry, who continues to serve as a special lecturer, and his wife, Jacqueline F. Kiernan MacKay, assistant vice president for student services, have contributed $10,000 toward their pledge for the Francis P. and Jacqueline K. MacKay Scholarship Fund. They will endow the fund through additional memorial bequests.

“The MacKays’ exemplary generosity and thoughtfulness are especially meaningful in light of their long and distinguished records of dedicated and valuable service to Providence College,” said Joseph P. Brum ’68, special assistant to the president for development projects.

Francis, or “Pat,” as he prefers, joined the faculty in 1958 and formally retired in 2001. He continues to teach natural science and history of science courses. He was the vice president for academic administration from 1985-92, twice served as president of the Faculty Senate, and chaired the Faculty Senate Curriculum Review Committee in 1980-81.

Jacqueline is in her 32nd year at PC, all in student services. She began as a counselor and later served as the director of counseling and the dean of student development before being named assistant vice president for student services in 1998. She holds the rank of assistant professor and is the co-author of an award-winning handbook and a book for parents of first-year college students.

The MacKays said their scholarship fund pledge is part of their commitment to diversity and issues of social justice. They are longtime supporters of the College’s Balfour Center for Multicultural Affairs and its Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Program. When St. Dominic Chapel opened in 2001, they donated a window that depicts St. Martin de Porres, the Dominican who is the patron saint of interracial justice and harmony.

The MacKays said that another reason they’re supporting a new scholarship fund is their concern that the United States keep up educationally with world powers like China and India. They said a new scholarship fund will serve as “a lasting legacy” to an institution that they cherish.

“To be able to contribute to the future of the College is a privilege and very satisfying,” said Jacqueline.