Lifelong Educators Pay It Forward

Kathleen Prendergast Hollowell ’68 always dreamed of becoming a math educator. Upon arriving at Albertus, she found herself in a welcome environment surrounded by supportive faculty that helped make her dream become reality. From small class sizes to personalized attention from professors to a strong education grounded in the liberal arts, Kathleen’s Albertus experience laid the groundwork for a long and rewarding career as a teacher of middle and high school mathematics, professor of mathematics education, textbook author, and, eventually, as director of the Mathematics & Science Education Resource Center at the University of Delaware.

David Hollowell, Kathleen’s husband of 52 years, holds degrees in engineering and business and has devoted his professional career to higher education administration, helping improve institutions that transformed the lives of countless students. Giving back to the places that made a mark on their lives came naturally to the Hollowells, and they have been loyal supporters of Albertus for more than four decades.

As the College’s Centennial approaches, Kathleen and David have graciously decided to step up their commitment by establishing the “Kathleen A. Prendergast Hollowell Scholarship Endowment” that will provide support for Albertus students majoring in mathematics or mathematics education as well as students in other STEM-related fields.

“The lessons I learned and the friendships I made at Albertus have lasted me a lifetime,” said Kathleen. “It’s my hope that this scholarship helps future generations of Albertus students enjoy the same 0pportunities that I was fortunate to have.”

To maximize their philanthropic impact, both Kathleen and David have revocable trusts that include Albertus Magnus College as a beneficiary. In the future the Hollowells’ bequests will be added to their scholarship fund, which will have a strong multiplier effect on the number of students’ lives they touch.

Endowed scholarships like this one are a crucial part of the College’s future. They offer pathways to students who may not otherwise be able to attend Albertus. Demographic and economic trends make scholarship assistance ever more important. More than 90% of Albertus students receive some form of financial assistance, and about 45% of our undergraduates are the first in their families to attend college.

The impact of scholarship assistance is profound in other ways too. Not only do they provide financial relief, scholarships also send a vote of confidence to their recipient. Endowed scholarships help build the College’s competitive strength in recruitment while supporting student retention efforts, fortifying our student body. Albertus supporters that establish endowed scholarships recognize that such a gift is a way to make a lasting, living contribution and strengthen the future of the College.

As for the Hollowells, they are enjoying retirement to the fullest. They love to travel and learn about the history and culture of each new place that they visit. So far, they have been to all 50 states and more than 60 countries and still counting.

By establishing this endowed scholarship, their legacy at Albertus is well in hand—and for that, we are most grateful.