On July 12th, CSEA held our annual Bernard McCusker Memorial Scholarship Award Ceremony, recognizing 62 students with $1,000 scholarships to help with their higher education aspirations. Bernard McCusker was the President of CSEA when he passed unexpectedly, in his memory CSEA created the memorial scholarship which has awarded well over 1,000 scholarships totaling over $1,000,000 throughout the past 60+ years. 

This scholarship is more important than ever as the price of higher education has surged, with our public higher education systems right here in Connecticut facing tuition hikes and staff and faculty lay-offs. 

CSEA members have been active in the fight to reduce public higher education costs and address the student loan crisis. Unions are critical to uplifting working families - from securing affordable health insurance and stable employment to competitive wages and paid time off to make precious memories with our loved ones. 
CSEA President, Travis Woodward, did not miss the opportunity to address dozens of future union members, urging them to be active in the labor movement, “The surge in union popularity that we are seeing right now is driven by Gen Z-ers like you all and I urge all of our recipients, if you are presented with the opportunity to organize or join a union, you do so wholeheartedly.”

Without the hard work and dedication of our McCusker Trustees, judges and staff lead Valeria Lattarulo, these students would not have been awarded these scholarships. They work throughout the year to collect donations, create the application, judge the applicants and put on a celebration which is often dubbed, ‘the best day of the year at CSEA’. 

And of course, the McCusker Scholarship is only made possible through generous donations of our members, chapters and councils throughout the year. In 2023 we were able to raise over $62,000 - with your help we can beat this for 2024! Donate online HERE

                                                                         2023 DONORS

                                                                         2023 WINNERS