New scholarship named to honor Ray Hershel

Date: 8/18/2010

SPRINGFIELD A $1,000 scholarship honoring the dean of Western Massachusetts television journalists, Ray Hershel, will be presented to a deserving winner by WGGB-TV at an awards event in September. Hershel is an award-winning broadcast journalist who has been reporting the news for more than 40 years in Springfield and is the chief political reporter at WGGB-TV.

The scholarship was established by John Gormally, president and owner of WGGB to honor Hershel's career and dedication.

"I'm certainly honored that John Gormally and WGGB are sponsoring a scholarship in my name. Education made a big difference in my own life and career and hopefully, this scholarship will help a student fulfill his or her dreams," Hershel said.

Applications are available at 619 State St. and must be completed by Aug. 18. The winner of the Ray Hershel Honorary Scholarship must pursue a degree in journalism, communications, or a related field.

The scholarship is being added to twenty scholarships being presented by Springfield Partners for Community Action. These are available for Springfield residents attending college or a vocational training program in the fall of 2010.

Paul Bailey, executive director at Springfield Partners, said, "We are thrilled to honor Ray Hershel in this way and grateful to Mr. Gormally at WGGB-TV for providing scholarship monies to help a deserving person attend college, while finding a unique way to pay tribute to Ray Hershel."

Springfield Partners for Community Action is the official anti-poverty agency for the city. The agency has several other programs including weatherization assistance, childcare and matched savings accounts for homeownership, college and small business start-up.