The Barbara Hovsepian ’76 Scholarship provides the perfect opportunity to “Be An Angel to a Student” at St. Thomas Aquinas College.
Created in memory of Barbara E. Hovsepian by her beloved husband, Joe, children Karen and Mark, extended family, and many dear friends, this scholarship honors a remarkable woman whose life reflected the transformative power of education, perseverance, and believing in yourself.
Born and raised in the Bronx just before the start of World War II, Barbara was an exceptional student and avid reader with dreams of attending college. However, because her family could only afford to send one child to college, it was her younger brother who pursued higher education while Barbara entered the workforce.
Years later, as a wife and stay-at-home mother of two, Barbara decided to pursue the college education she had always desired—with the love and encouragement of her family. She enrolled at St. Thomas Aquinas College and proudly graduated in 1976, at the age of 38, summa cum laude, with a B.A. in English. Her time at STAC ignited a lifelong passion for teaching, literature, and learning, while also forming friendships she cherished throughout her life.
Barbara went on to earn her M.A. in English from Fairleigh Dickinson University and taught English and study skills at Rockland Community College for many years.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, friend, book lover, and lifelong learner, Barbara’s life was a testament to resilience, determination, and the belief that education can change lives. Through this scholarship, her legacy will continue to inspire and support future generations of Spartans as they pursue their own dreams.
A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart.