Scholarship Honors Pioneer, Aids Students with Chronic Illness

Scholarship named after Matthew Galligan, a business student who died from brain cancer in 2017

Sacred Heart University’s new Matthew Galligan Scholarship provides funding for SHU students with chronic or terminal illnesses and honors Matthew Galligan, a Pioneer who died from cancer in 2017 at age 20.

Galligan, a finance major from Northborough, MA, was diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), a type of brain cancer, soon after his first semester at Sacred Heart, said his father, Michael Galligan, ’90 MBA.

“He fell in love with the campus when we visited,” said Michael Galligan, who remembered the campus differently and was impressed by the transformation that occurred since he was a SHU Pioneer 30 years before.

Before Matthew’s fall semester officially started, he enrolled in the Welch Experience, a pre-fall program for students studying in the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology. The week-long program provides undergraduate business students with professional and academic development to prepare for the global economy. Students also get a head start on making friends and forming connections.

Matthew battled GBM for 23 months and, during that time, he remained dedicated to his studies at SHU. All the tests, procedures and appointments at medical facilities in Massachusetts could not keep him away from his peers and college career.

“He was determined to stay at Sacred Heart,” said Matthew’s mother, Mary Galligan. “There were so many tests and medical appointments, but he wanted to carry on his legacy.”

Matthew never had the chance to follow through on his intention to get involved with SHU’s office of volunteer programs and service learning. The basketball- and Nike-sneaker-fanatic had been heavily involved with volunteerism and giving back to his hometown throughout his life. For years, he delivered birthday presents and party supplies to underserved children in Worcester County, MA, through the nonprofit program, Birthday Wishes. Mary Galligan said her son also worked with a friend to establish a basketball competition called the “135 Tournament” to benefit the nonprofit organization, Coaching for Change. Matthew’s friends and his brother, Colin Galligan ’21, continued to run the tournament and raise money for The Sister’s Wish, a charity granting “wishes” to terminal or chronically ill young adults ages 18-30, until COVID-19 hit. Then his brother and parents created The Matthew Galligan Foundation to raise money to support causes that meant so much to him.

After their son’s passing, Mary and Michael Galligan wanted to honor him and to help students struggling with a chronic or terminal illness. “Whether they are part-time or full-time students, we just want to be able to provide them some funding,” Mary Galligan said. The couple know first-hand that there are many expenses when a loved one is sick, and every bit helps.

The scholarship evoked a big response: 26 students applied, and five of them will receive funding.

“I think Matthew would be happy to be honored this way,” Mary Galligan said.

Dominique Scerbak, a freshmen nursing student from Riverdale, NJ, who is in the honors program, is among the first recipients. She was emotional when she got the phone call with the good news. “I teared up, knowing that all the hard work and perseverance was worth it,” she said. “I was honored to be chosen for my involvement in campus and community efforts and my determination to always assist those in need.”

Scerbak said people who suffer from chronic or terminal illnesses struggle every day. “We are challenged to find the strength within us to persevere through tough days, despite the chronic pain or symptoms we may feel daily,” She said. “Knowing that someone was so gracious to establish a scholarship to assist those with medical obstacles made me feel appreciated and happy that we are not forgotten, but rather valued for our strength and perseverance.”

Scerbak said she also was inspired by Matthew’s story and his courageous fight against cancer. “It made me want to honor his legacy by continuing to live my life with enthusiasm and generosity, just as Matthew did,” she said.

Scholarship recipient Kathryn Vaillancourt of Chester, NJ, applied for the scholarship because she suffers from a chronic illness. “It’s a major part of my life,” she said. “The scholarship was a chance for me to take my illness and create something good.”

The sophomore, who is majoring in history and art with a minor in writing, said she was “ecstatic” when she learned she would have financial help for her education. “This scholarship means so much to so many people,” Vaillancourt said.

She believes the scholarship will help students understand they are not alone, and many of their peers have similar situations.

Madison Gorrigan of Winooski, VT, said she plans to use her scholarship to finish paying for her last semester and any potential post-graduate classes she takes over the summer.

Gorrigan, a health science major with a concentration in global health, is graduating in May. She said she feels grateful and proud to be chosen for the scholarship.

To learn more, visit the Matthew Galligan Scholarship webpage.