Alumni Association Board of Directors establishes scholarship to honor long-time alumni relations director
Connecticut College alumni have come together to establish a scholarship in honor of Bridget McShane, senior director of alumni engagement and annual giving, whose distinguished service to Connecticut College has spanned more than three decades.
The Bridget A. McShane Scholarship will help ensure a deserving student has access to a Connecticut College education. Evan Piekara ’07, who spearheaded the effort, said it’s a fitting tribute to a woman whose professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm have been the cornerstone of the alumni network for decades.
“I’ve worked in higher education for many years, and have never known an alumni relations director who is as personally involved and invested in alumni—both as individuals and as a group—as Bridget McShane is in Conn’s alumni,” said Jamie Glanton Costello ’89, president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, in a letter to more than 25,000 Connecticut College alumni worldwide.
At a meeting this past weekend, the Alumni Association Board of Directors presented McShane with a plaque commemorating the scholarship and her role at the College. The plaque reads, “Over the span of her career at Connecticut College, Bridget has made a profound impact on students, alumni, faculty, staff and the greater College community. Her presence and contributions extend far beyond her roles at the College. Bridget’s commitment, professionalism and enthusiasm embody the values of the College, and she is a living testament of the best attributes of Connecticut College.”
McShane joined Connecticut College in 1986 as director of administration in the alumni office. In 1995, she was appointed special assistant to the president and, subsequently, the director of events and conferences. In 2003, she took on the role of director of alumni relations. She was promoted to senior director of alumni engagement and annual giving in 2014.
“Over the length of her remarkable career, Bridget has shared so much talent and wisdom, improving every area she touched. As leader of alumni engagement and annual giving, she brought together one of our strongest teams ever, and the Connecticut College Fund has continued to achieve record results,” said Connecticut College President Katherine Bergeron.
After 31 years, McShane has accepted a role as executive director of annual giving and advancement relations at Bentley University in Boston. She will be sorely missed by the entire College community.
“Bridget has given as much to this College and shown as much care and concern for this College as any member of our alumni body. In many ways, I think of her as a fellow alumna. And I always will,” said Martha Merrill ’84, the interim vice president for College Advancement.
For those who want to contribute to the Bridget A. McShane Scholarship, please contact Matt Glasz, director of annual giving, at mglasz@conncoll.edu.
