West Milford's Mary Anderson receives scholarship

| 15 May 2012 | 04:49

HACKETTSTOWN— Mary Anderson, a Centenary College education student from West Milford, was honored last week with the Doris L. Moore Scholarship.This scholarship was made possible through the generosity of Dr. Sandra Moore, Centenary College’s Dean for Academic Support, her brother Peter and sister-in-law Ellen J. Moore, and Ellen’s employer, Chubb Insurance Company of Canada who matched the donation.

Doris L. Moore was an art teacher for 40 years in the Warren Township School District in Somerset County.She had a passion for teaching that did not waver throughout her teaching career.

The Doris L. Moore Scholarship of $1,000 was established last year to recognize one education student annually who has demonstrated academic excellence and is committed to the betterment of elementary education.

Like Doris L. Moore, Anderson has a passion for teaching.In fact, it is in her blood.Her mother, Dr. Pauline F. Anderson, is the principal at Walnut Ridge Primary School in Vernon and her father, Richard Anderson, is a special education teacher at Apshawa Elementary School in West Milford.

“I grew up spending my summers helping my parents set up for the new school year and I enjoyed being in that environment,” says Anderson.“There was no question that this was the career path for me.”

She will graduate from Centenary College in January with a bachelor of arts in Liberal Arts with certifications in Elementary Education (K-5) and Teachers of Students with Disabilities (K-12).

She is currently completing her practicum with Mountain Villa School in Allamuchy, where she has created and taught lesson plans in a first grade classroom.In the fall, she will return to Mountain Villa, where she will student teach first graders.

Anderson has also worked as a substitute instructional aide at Walnut Ridge Primary School, supervising students with special needs and assisting children with activities, as well as a youth camp counselor at Bubbling Springs Day Camp in West Milford, where she conducted learning and recreational activities for second-and fifth-graders.

At Centenary College, she serves as a first year leader, mentoring freshman students and planning and coordinating events for those students.She also played on the women’s soccer team and served as a special events tour guide for the Centenary College Admission Department.

Being an advocate for Centenary College through her different roles comes naturally to Anderson, as she is big fan of her future alma mater.

“I heard about the strong education program at Centenary College and just knew that this was the college where I wanted to attend for my undergraduate studies,” said Anderson.“I felt so strongly that this was the right choice for me that Centenary was the only college to which I applied.I was accepted through the early decision program and I have been happy with the decision to attend here ever since!”

Regarding receiving the Doris L. Moore Scholarship, Anderson said she is pleased and humbled by the recognition.

“I am so honored to receive this scholarship,” said Anderson.“It is wonderful to be recognized in this manner and it continues to motivate me to excel academically.”

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in three locations: Hackettstown, Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.The School of International Programs recruits international students for study at Centenary and Centenary students for study abroad.