A Helping Hand for Future Educators

Shirley Anderson graduated from what was then called the State Teacher’s College in Trenton with a degree in early childhood education in 1955, creating the foundation for what would become a long, fulfilling teaching career. She worked as a teacher in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, as well as in Eatontown and Colts Neck, New Jersey, earning a master’s degree and a certificate in education administration from Rutgers University along the way. Ultimately, she served as principal at Conover Elementary in Colts Neck.

In appreciation of her undergraduate education and with the goal of assisting future educators, Shirley chose to give back to TCNJ in a number of significant ways: She created a scholarship fund with appreciated securities, established a charitable gift annuity (from which she receives yearly income), and left The College of New Jersey Foundation a gift in her will to further enhance her scholarship fund.

As a member of TCNJ’s Heritage Society, which recognizes alumni and others who have included the college in their estate plan, Shirley hopes her gifts will enable future students to impact the lives of others—just as she was able to do throughout her distinguished career.