KEAN UNIVERSITY FoUNdATIoN

Nancy Boucher, Christine Sanders and W. John Bauer, Ph.D.
Carrying on a Family Tradition of Generosity
The paths of Professor Emeritus W. John Bauer, Ph.D. and the late Estelle Ritchie initially crossed
during their time as junior faculty colleagues in the English Department at Kean University (then
Newark State College) back in 1965. They remained close friends until her passing in 2001.
Upon his retirement the following year, Dr. Bauer joined the Foundation Board of Directors and
involved himself with the scholarship committee. It was at that point, when he, in conjunction with
his sister Nancy Boucher and his friend Janice DeYoung, decided to pay tribute to Estelle in a way
she would truly appreciate: through the students. Thus the Estelle Ritchie Endowed Scholarship
in English, awarded to senior English major Kathi Slattery, and the Estelle Ritchie Endowed
Scholarship in Theatre, awarded to senior theatre major Christine Sanders, were established and
funded through the generosity of many friends, former students and colleagues.
“Professors don’t always get to see how effective their teaching is while students are still in
the classroom,” observes Dr. Bauer. “Later they may receive a note from a former student or
perhaps, a visit from someone who wants to let them know how much of a role they actually
played in his or her education. Many of Estelle’s students stayed in touch with her, and with these
scholarships in her name, her legacy is being passed on to others who can know her only through
her reputation and writing.”
Kean University Foundation
Annual Report 2008
4
Scholarship Fact: The Estelle
Ritchie Endowed Scholarships in English
and Theatre are awarded each year to
deserving undergraduates in one of the
aforementioned concentrations with a
minimum 3.0 GPA.