Holy Cross and Alumna Create September 11 Scholarship Fund

WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross and an alumna of the College are creating "The Holy Cross September 11th Scholarship Fund" to provide a Holy Cross education to financially needy surviving children of alumni/ae, firefighters, police and rescue workers killed or permanently disabled due to terrorist attacks or during the rescue activities relating to those attacks.

The fund is being established by Heidi Brake Smith, Class of 1982, and her husband, Scott, in response to the events of September 11, 2001. The Smiths' substantial gift is being matched by Holy Cross, and additional gifts may be made to the College and designated to the fund.

"I did not know personally any of the seven Holy Cross alumni/ae who were killed on September 11, but several of them left young children and I believe it's our role to ensure they will receive an excellent education," says Heidi Brake Smith. "In addition, I am pleased we'll be able to extend the opportunity of a Holy Cross education to eligible children of firefighters, police and rescue workers killed in terrorist attacks."

Eligible participants will be: 1) surviving children of alumni/ae killed as a result of terrorism; 2) surviving children of firefighters, police and rescue workers who died as a result of terrorist attacks; and, 3) (in the event that funds are available after funding all eligible participants in the first two categories) surviving children of alumni/ae or their spouses who died due to violence, accident or illness, leaving their family in need of assistance. Participants must meet Holy Cross admissions standards and show satisfactory academic progress.

"Many alumni/ae and other members of the Holy Cross family have expressed a special concern for the children left behind by the terrible tragedy on September 11, and a desire to help them," says Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president of Holy Cross. "This gives them a means of doing so, in partnership with the College. We want to make sure that any of those children who want to attend Holy Cross will have the financial means to come here."

All contributions and the interest accrued (100% of the principal and interest) will go directly to eligible students. The fund is not an endowment, but instead will be spent down for the intended purposes. The fund will be managed so as to be viable until at least 2025.