WCC Mourns Loss of Doug Birdsall - Alumnus, Board Member and Friend
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
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Posted by: John Fellas
A graduate of the class of 1966, Doug Birdsall was passionate about Westchester Community College and providing scholarships to students was his primary concern. He faithfully attended practically every Scholarship recognition ceremony: first as a scholarship recipient himself; then as a business executive and keynote speaker; and, later, as a WCC Foundation board member and scholarship ceremony presenter. He was a member of the Foundation’s Executive Committee, an active participant on the Scholarship Committee, and chair of the Board's Alumni Committee, which sought to network with, and involve alumni in the life of the college. Doug enrolled at the college in 1964 because it provided the only opportunity for higher education available to him, given his family's limited financial resources. He had no career plans and no thought of continuing his education beyond a two-year degree. Then he met Dean Angelo Delgrosso, who recognized his potential and became his mentor and friend. Doug went on to a highly successful management career in the aviation industry, becoming President and CEO of New York Air and later, Senior Vice President at Northwest Airlines. In 1997, Birdsall honored his mentor by establishing a scholarship in his name at the college. He started the fund with a gift of $5,000 to the Foundation, and continued to make regular contributions each year. This year the Angelo Delgrosso Scholarship endowment reached over $200,000. Approximately 50 students have benefited from Doug's desire to "give back." A family man who brought values and tradition to those he loved, Doug was an inspiration through his positive outlook, encouragement, and most importantly, his desire to help those in need.
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