DANBURY, CONN. — A reception to raise money for a scholarship in the name of Mary Edgett, the oldest living graduate of Western Connecticut State University, will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in the Westside Campus Center Grand Ballroom, Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury.

The new scholarship will be awarded to a WestConn elementary education major.

“Mary is one of the most beloved teachers in Danbury,” said Dr. G. Koryoe Anim-Wright, WCSU vice president for Institutional Advancement. “What better way to immortalize her than with a scholarship that supports the work to which she devoted her entire life?”

At 104 years of age, Edgett reported she feels “pretty good.” She added, “I am so honored to be recognized in this way by my alma mater. I hope this award encourages more students to go into teaching.”

The scholarship is being established in part because of the huge response received after a profile on Edgett was published in the spring 2008 issue of the university’s alumni magazine, AlumniNews.

“Many readers wanted to reconnect with their former teacher,” Anim-Wright said. “That led to talk about forming a scholarship. We think it’s a fitting tribute to her.”

For more than a half century, Edgett fostered a love for education, living and teaching middle school primarily in the Danbury area. Many of those she taught went on to become luminaries in their field.

Edgett received a teaching certificate from the Danbury Normal School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the Teachers’ College of Connecticut in New Britain, (now Central Connecticut State University). Afterward, she did gaduate work at the University of Hawaii.

Mary Edgett Scholarship committee member Guido J. Tino, a former student of Edgett’s, has donated the first $1,000 to this fund.

To donate to the Mary Edgett Scholarship, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 837- 8290. Make checks payable to the WCSU Foundation Mary Edgett Scholarship.

For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.