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Honoring Legacy: The Birth of the HCC Faculty Emeriti Memorial Scholarship

Last summer, Professor Tom Crawford sat beside Professor Emeritus Paul Jozik at an HCC Alumni Association meeting. They exchanged casual conversation, just as they had many times before, sprinkled with Paul’s trademark wit. Tom had no idea that would be one of the last times he would see Paul.

When news of Paul’s passing came a few months later, it hit Tom hard. “I was just blown over. I couldn’t believe it,” Tom recalls. “How could it be that he retired just four years ago and now he’s gone?”

Through the years, Tom and so many students and colleagues witnessed Paul’s incredible commitment and support to ensure student, faculty, and institutional success. Following his retirement, he was an engaged member of the HCC Alumni Association Board, a regular volunteer at campus events, and a deeply involved Sioda Scholarship mentor.

The loss of a dear colleague left Tom reflecting not just on Paul’s impact, but on the broader legacy of outstanding faculty members who have helped shape the college community. Later in the day of Paul’s passing, as Tom filled out his donation card for the annual employee giving campaign, he started thinking about how these faculty members could be recognized. He thought not only of the contributions of Paul, but other dearly departed faculty members, including Professors Emeriti Judy Peisen and Joan Johnson.

Then came Paul’s obituary, which stated, “If you wish to make a memorial gift, please give a contribution to your own favorite charity where your generosity will have a greater and lasting effect.”

Tom’s thoughts immediately turned to his HCC family and the power of its collective community. “What could have a more ‘greater and lasting effect’ than an HCC Foundation scholarship,” he thought.

He presented his idea for a Faculty Emeriti Memorial Scholarship to the faculty convened at a meeting hosted by Vice President Dawn Schoenenberger. He was overwhelmed with positive and heartwarming responses, which gave him the encouragement he needed to present his vision of the memorial scholarship to Ashley Whaley, senior director of college advancement. She helped him identify the steps and hurdles on the path to the creation of the scholarship.

Working together, the Faculty Assembly created a description of the scholarship eligibility requirements, and discussed how the scholarship would be promoted to reach full funding of the $25,000 required for an endowed scholarship.

“The across-the-board encouragement and financial support were simply amazing, from everybody – alumni, current faculty, former faculty, staff, former staff, administrators, board members, and others,” said Tom. “The emails I received were very inspiring.”

In just a few days, contributions and pledges helped the scholarship surpass the $25,000 mark. A generous $20,000 gift from the HCC Alumni Association brought the total amount of pledges and donations to around $40,000. This strong show of support means the scholarship will be ready for its first distribution in the fall 2025 semester.

Though the scholarship is still in its early stages, its potential to positively impact future students is already evident. Tom hopes it will continue to inspire alumni, faculty, and students to recognize the value of honoring those faculty emeriti who came before them. “There are no high-quality alumni without high-quality faculty,” noted Tom. “A huge part of the faculty role is developing relationships, mentoring students, and identifying programs to which students may transfer and do well. The faculty emeriti designation recognizes select faculty that have excelled in these and other roles.”

The HCC Faculty Emeriti Memorial Scholarship stands as a testament to the enduring influence of the 23 departed emeriti educators whose work continues to resonate long after they’re gone. It is a fitting tribute to those like Paul Jozik, who built the foundation of a strong, vibrant community. And for Tom, it’s a promise that their legacy will continue to live on, not just in memory, but in a tangible way that impacts generations of students to come.

To learn more about, or contribute to, the HCC Faculty Emeriti Memorial Scholarship, contact the HCC Office of College Advancement at 240-500-2348 or collegeadvancement@hagerstowncc.edu.