Gary VanDeurse ’96

DONOR PROFILE

Passionate About Civic Engagement

Gary VanDeurse still recalls how much he enjoyed taking part in the civic and volunteer aspects of Black & Gold Beginnings, Framingham State University’s multi-day program for incoming students.

It’s that spirit of giving back to the community that encouraged him to sign up for AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, after graduating from FSU in 1996 with a degree in English. VanDeurse spent time down in Kentucky and later Chicago, before returning to the Boston area and earning his graduate degree at Tufts University.

Today, he’s fortunate to be in a position to support current students, which is why he and his husband Austin Bliss

created the Bliss-VanDeurse Scholarship Fund.

“In talking about who we would want to receive the annual gift, I thought back to that Black & Gold Beginnings experience and my time with AmeriCorps,” VanDeurse says. “I’d love to support students who are similarly interested in being involved in improving their community.”

Annual gifts from the Bliss-VanDeurse Scholarship Fund will be made to currently enrolled students with a demonstrated financial need and involvement in extracurricular activities, including Black & Gold Beginnings, The Gatepost, the Student Government Association or student affinity groups.

VanDeurse says. “It was transformative for me, and I really engaged in the academics and had a great time. Many of my closest friends today are the people I met at FSU.”

In addition to his initial donation, VanDeurse has also pledged to match any donations that are made to the scholarship up to $5,000. If you are interested in supporting this effort, visit alumni.framingham.edu or email alumni@framingham.edu.