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From left, Joseph P. Brum ’68,
Rev. John S. Peterson, O.P. ’57,
and Thomas McLaughlin ’84. |
The Rev. John S. Peterson, O.P. Scholarship Fund has been established at the College to provide financial aid to minorities with proven academic ability and demonstrated financial need. It is named in honor of a priest who has been associated with PC as an alumnus, teacher, and administrator.
Currently an assistant dean in the Office of Admission, Rev. John S. Peterson, O.P. ’57 has served the College for 35 years—from 1964-1987 and from 1993 to the present. Ordained a priest on June 14, 1962, he came to the College to teach in the Department of Theology and to serve as assistant to the bursar. Father Peterson began the Office of Financial Aid and served as College treasurer from 1974-1987.
Scholarships granted through this fund will be awarded annually to an African-American graduating senior student at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J. St. Benedict’s, which is known for its academic excellence, has a significant minority enrollment. Following in the footsteps of his two brothers—including the late Very Rev. Thomas R. Peterson, O.P. ’51, who was president of PC from 1971-1985—Father John Peterson is an alumnus of the school.
Part of Father Peterson’s motivation in agreeing that the fund be established in his name is to use it as a resource to encourage minority students to attend PC, said Joseph P. Brum ’68, special assistant to the president for development projects. Brum said it is expected that the fund will be self-sustaining and that it will be awarded to as many qualified students as it can support.
The fund is the brainchild of Thomas McLaughlin ’84, who for the past 10 years has been a regional leader in the Alumni/ae Admission Ambassadors Program, which Father John Peterson coordinates. McLaughlin is also the alumni association contact for the Philadelphia, Pa., region.
“I want to stay involved with PC but I wanted to bring my involvement up to a new level,” said McLaughlin in explaining the genesis of the fund. He said he felt there was a particular need for a scholarship fund for minority students and for Father Peterson’s work to be recognized.
“He’s a great inspiration to those who have met him along the path of admission to PC,” said McLaughlin, who is spearheading the drive with his wife, Karen (Killoy) McLaughlin ’84.
McLaughlin said $11,000 has been raised towards a goal of a minimum of $50,000 for the fund, much of it from Class of 1984 members and their families and friends. Those wishing to contribute to the fund should contact Brum at (401) 865-2411 or by e-mail at joebrum@providence.edu.