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In a romantic gesture before Valentine’s Day, Head Reference Librarian Bill Duffy surprised his wife, alumna and William Paterson nursing professor Barbara (nee Collins) Duffy with something sweeter than a box of chocolates -- a scholarship in her name designated for a William Paterson nursing student.
A member of William Paterson University’s Foundation Board since 2003, Bill purchased a $20 scholarship challenge raffle ticket at the 2016 annual Foundation Golf Outing and won, giving him the opportunity to designate a $1,220 scholarship for a nursing student. This February, he decided to extend the scholarship with his own generous $1,500 donation, naming it the Barbara Duffy Nursing Scholarship.
Barbara is currently a full-time instructor in William Paterson’s nursing program, a long-time adjunct, and dedicated member of the campus community.
“It was generous of Bill to give a scholarship donation in honor of his wife, and it is greatly appreciated when a member of the campus community gives backs to students,” says Pam Ferguson, vice president for Institutional Advancement. “We applaud Bill for his service and dedication through the years to the University and the Foundation.”
Since 2010, the University’s donor scholarship distribution has increased 165%, from $414,000 to nearly $1.1 million.
“William Paterson has been part of our lives for four decades and has, quite literally, been at the center of our careers,” he says. “Valentine's Day afforded me the opportunity to show my love and appreciation for my wife and for our favorite institution.”
Bill has been head of reference at the David & Lorraine Cheng Library for approximately 20 years and with the library more than 38 years. In addition to serving on Foundation Board, he has been active in serving the institution and participating on numerous committees, including the Faculty Senate.
His wife, Barbara, earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from William Paterson. She has had a career as a school nurse, earned two master’s degrees at Seton Hall, and is a pediatric nurse practitioner.
“That was a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift and it was very generous of him to give it in my name,” says Barbara. “It’s a gift from the heart. It benefits someone else— and it’s something near and dear to my own heart.”
3-21-17
