First Recipient of Gerry McGough Endowed Scholarship in Fine Arts Selected
From left to right: Sarah Purcell, Gerry McGough and Dr. Temma Balducci
JONESBORO – Art students at Arkansas State University now have an added incentive for continued excellence.The Gerry McGough Endowed Scholarship in Fine Arts, established by an endowment of $50,000, will provide $2,000 annually to students seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design or studio art.To be awarded this newly established scholarship, students must have an outstanding portfolio, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and, it is preferred, that the student have a need for financial aid.Gerry McGough said part of her reasoning for establishing this scholarship is to help those students in need. “I saw so many students who were worried about money for tuition and art supplies,” she said."The Gerry McGough Endowed Scholarship speaks eloquently to Gerry's generosity and love of the arts. Art + Design could not be more thrilled about this scholarship, which we will offer to future incoming students," said Dr. Temma Balducci, chair of the Department of Art + Design and professor of art history. McGough, her son and daughter-in-law recently met the inaugural recipient of the scholarship, Paragould native and art major Sarah Purcell.“This scholarship means so much to me. It means I can work less so that I can focus on school more. It is such a blessing to experience financial freedom as a college student. This scholarship also makes me feel seen as an artist. My dreams are so important to me, and the McGough Scholarship is a push to keep going,” said Purcell."Sarah Purcell is a fantastic student. Her attention to detail and excellent work ethic made her an easy choice for the scholarship," said Balducci.
Purcell said at the completion of her degree, she plans to pursue a career using her education in art.“Meeting Gerry McGough was such a unique experience. Not everyone gets to meet their scholarship donor. She told us to always ‘do what you love,’ which amplified my motivation as a student,” said Purcell.She continued, “Gerry told us of her endless artistic endeavors, and I found it inspiring to meet someone who has tried so many different types of art. It also means so much to me that she believes in the arts and our generation of creators. All around meeting this wonderful person was such a motivational experience for which I am grateful.”Originally from Canada, McGough came to the United States to work as a radiological technician in Florida where she met her husband, B.C. McGough, who later served as the first dean of the Neil Griffin College of Business at A-State from 1965 until 1987. Several members of the McGough family began and furthered their education while at A-State.Gerry McGough received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and a master's degree and a specialist degree, both in education at A-State. She worked as an instructor at Williams Baptist University.“My goal at this point in my life is to help the students succeed in school and their life,” said McGough.Additional information about this and other endowment opportunities at A-State is available through the Office of Development, 870-972-3940 or Development@AState.edu.
