Sr. M. William McGovern, FDC, Scholarship Announced
St. Joseph Hill Academy Creates Scholarship Fund in Honor of Sr. M. William McGovern, FDC
Sister M. William McGovern, FDC
The Sister M. William McGovern, FDC Scholarship Fund honors the commitment and dedication of Sr. M. William McGovern, a dedicated educator who has served St. Joseph Hill Academy for decades.
An alumna of both the Elementary and High School, Sister William grew up in Great Kills, Staten Island. Sr. William entered the Daughters of Divine Charity novitiate in Allamuchy, New Jersey in 1955, professing her first vows in 1957 and her final vows in1962.
With the approval and support of the Daughters of Divine Charity, we thank Mr. Peter Schutz for his generosity and loyalty and for providing the funds to establish this scholarship. According to Mr. Shudtz, “The scholarship honoring Sister William recognizes her tireless efforts to improve the lives of all Hilltoppers; and most importantly will provide opportunities to those who may not have the financial means to join the Hilltop community. Sister William embodies the spirit of Saint Joseph in her daily life providing guidance, love and charity to all she meets.”
Our hope is to create an endowment fund through additional gifts from our donors that will sustain this scholarship in perpetuity. To support the Sister M. William McGovern Scholarship Fund and establish an endowment that will ensure that this scholarship continues in perpetuity, please visit: www.stjosephhillacademy.com/donate/. Checks payable to St. Joseph Hill Academy may be sent to: St. Joseph Hill Academy, Development Office, 850 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305, Attn: Dr. Elizabeth Basile. (Please add Sr. William Scholarship on memo line).
Sr. M. William McGovern, FDC.:
Sister M. William McGovern graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. She also completed her Master’s Degree in English at Fordham. Sister William pursued a Postgraduate degree at Fordham University in Guidance and Counseling and subsequently established the Guidance Department in the High School. She dedicated much energy and time in assisting the students not only to select the right college but to being visible and available to listen and advise the students, many of whom came to her with personal issues.
Sister William spent most of her religious life at St. Joseph Hill Academy and the St. Joseph Hill Convent. Together with Sister Maureen Meehan, FDC, Sister William established the Development Office for the Daughters of Divine Charity. Today, Sister William continues serving the Province as the Director of Development for the Daughters of Divine Charity. Among her many accomplishments is the establishment of the Associates of the Daughters of Divine Charity in Staten Island.
The Sr. M. William McGovern Scholarship will be awarded to an entering Freshman. In order to be eligible, the student must select St. Joseph Hill as her first choice of school. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of need to an applicant who is interested in pursuing the Humanities track, focused on the study of literature, history, the arts, etc. The recipient must be a baptized Catholic. The scholarship will annually provide $2,500.00 towards funding for four years of the recipient’s enrollment. The awardee's family will be required to pay the balance of the tuition and fees each year. The scholarship recipient must maintain an 85% average in each year, with no failures. She must remain in good disciplinary standing. Grades and conditions will be reviewed annually. The first recipient will be selected from the incoming Class of 2026.
Sr. William’s contributions to St. Joseph Hill Academy will be honored for years to come as the young women who receive this prestigious scholarship follow in the Hilltopper traditions that she was instrumental in creating.