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Margo WR Steiner
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Salem High School graduate Patrick Luddy began his freshman year at Salem State University recently as a Jack Welch Scholar. The coveted designation provides the Salem resident with full tuition for four years, and is the result of a $1 million gift made to the university in 2005 by former General Electric CEO Jack Welch, a Salem native, and his wife Suzy. The first two scholars were named in 2006.
The Jack Welch Scholarship at Salem State provides for one award annually to a student who meets the following criteria: a resident of Salem or a Salem High graduate with an exemplary grade-point average who plans to pursue a business degree at Salem State University.
Patrick, son of Sean and Caroline Luddy, already has an easy familiarity with the campus. That’s not surprising considering his lineage. Both grandparents—retired Salem State English and theatre professor Tom Luddy and longtime staff member Eileen Luddy—have been fixtures on campus for many years.
The future accounting major remembers visiting his grandmother’s office as a youngster; when it came time to consider college, the Salem High School graduate realized that the first-class business education he desired was right in his backyard. Thus far, he couldn’t be happier. Taking a five-course academic load, he’s particularly pleased with his professors in the Bertolon School of Business, acknowledging the wealth of “real-world experience” they bring to class.
Enrolled in business studies at Salem High, and carrying a 3.7 GPA, Patrick is especially grateful to the business teacher who suggested he apply for the Jack Welch Scholarship, and looks forward to a future career as a certified public accountant.