Policies and Procedures

Subject:  MCMA Scholarships

     Date:  April 2018 (Last Updated June 2023)

The Education Committee of this Association administers the Charles R. McLean Scholarship Fund, from which scholarships are available through the Association to the sons and daughters of members in pursuit of a degree in architectural or engineering studies at an accredited institution.

The Fund derives from an 1884 bequest of $8,000 in McLean’s will ... the income from which was to pay for scholarships for two years to benefit “worthy sons of members or past members” attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (No “amount” for the scholarship was specified.) Due to a stipulation in the will, the money did not pass to MCMA until after the deaths of McLean’s wife and daughter, so MCMA did not receive it until 1917. Even so, the restrictions were such that the Fund lay dormant until the first scholarship (for $106) was given in 1919, and it was used only a few times over the next several decades.

MCMA petitioned the Massachusetts General Court (i.e., the State legislature) in 1975 to broaden the interpretation of the McLean terms, and that petition was granted. It now reads: “The income from this Fund shall be devoted for the payment of scholarships of two (2) years each in any department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or such other accredited educational institution offering at least an associate’s degree in a technical, mechanical, engineering or architectural field as may be deemed suitable by the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, the beneficiaries to be worthy sons and daughters of members or past members of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association.”

At the February and March 2018 meetings of the Board of Government a proposal to expand the availability of these scholarships to the grandchildren of members was discussed and deliberated. Ultimately, it was decided that such a change would so expand the number of potential candidates that it could lead to the complete depletion of the Fund, which the Board judged would be unfair to McLean’s memory, and it was voted to continue the availability limitation in its current form.

With regard to the amount of the scholarships, however, it was voted at the same meeting to increase the payments from the current “$1,000.00 per year for two years” to “$2,000.00 per year for two years”. It is expected that this change can be made without endangering the survivability of the Fund (which in March 2018 amounted to approximately $44,000), and that payments can in the future be reduced if that survivability is threatened. It is the Board’s understanding that a change in the amount of the scholarship does not require the involvement of the State legislature, and can be handled directly by the Association.

As to the details, the Board refers to the Education Committee for review any request for an MCMA scholarship. If the Committee determines the request meets the necessary requirements and approves the scholarship, it will so notify the Board. Payment will be made by MCMA upon receipt of verification that the student has successfully completed his or her studies for the year.

MFJ, Secretary