Holy Cross gets $2.5 million for race, gender, social-justice programs with Shakespeare thrown in

At Holy Cross; Fenwick Lawn, with Commencement Porch of Fenwick Hall in the foreground and the chapel beyond.

Edited from a New England Council (newenglandcouncil.com) report.

“The College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, recently received a $2.5 million gift to be used to establish an endowed chair and lecture series focused on race, gender and social justice.

“The gift comes from Eric Galloway, who graduated from Holy Cross in 1984, and named this lecture series, the Helen M. Whall Lecture Series, an endowed chair position to honor Helen M. Whall, who served as Galloway’s adviser. Whall taught at the college as an English professor from 1976 to her retirement in 2017. History Prof. Rosa Carrasquillo has been selected as the inaugural Helen M. Whall Chair in Race, Gender and Social Justice. The bi-annual lecture series in Whall’s honor will host Shakespearean scholars to come on campus and speak on issues of diversity and equity.

“‘I am honored to acknowledge Helen Whall as an inspiring professor, mentor, and friend to me and other minorities during a sometimes challenging and, ultimately, rewarding time at Holy Cross,’ said Eric Galloway.”