Seton Hall Athlete's Memory Lives On Through Scholarship  

Mary L. Jennings, a Seton Hall soccer player and education major from Piscataway, New Jersey, inspired all she knew and came into contact with. Now her legacy will live on at Seton Hall for generations to come. The Mary L. Jennings Memorial Scholarship has been endowed, reaching the $50,000 mark, through the hard work and dedicated fundraising efforts of Mary’s fellow classmates.  
Beginning in 2008, this scholarship will be awarded annually to the Seton Hall University student who best exemplifies the spirit of life and learning exhibited by Mary Jennings. Recipients must be enrolled full-time in the College of Education and Human Services, participate in sports, and demonstrate financial need and academic merit.  

Brian Reing, a senior from Doylestown, Pennsylvania who was on the scholarship’s programming committee states, “Reaching and surpassing our goal to endow a scholarship in Mary’s name is an amazing accomplishment, not only for the Seton Hall community but for those of us who worked toward making sure that Mary will never be forgotten.” He adds, “Mary’s beautiful personality and incessant love for life is something that I wanted everyone to remember, and it is through the scholarship that she will live on.”  

Seton Hall faculty and students organized a variety of fundraising events to make this scholarship a reality. The scholarship committee plans to do more each year to continue to build up the endowment. Such events included a spaghetti dinner/silent auction, classic soccer tournament, sweatshirt drive, and a brick sale. The brick sale was coordinated by the council of the class of 2007 to raise funds for senior week activities. However, when Mary died, the class decided to donate half of the earnings toward her scholarship. After expenses, $8,000 will be given to the scholarship.  

Mary Jennings lost her battle with cancer last June at the age of 21. Though her life was cut short, her accomplishments were enormous and continue to inspire many. Mary was a tenacious soccer player and a hard-working student who made the Dean’s List every semester. She was well on her way to achieving her dream of becoming a high school social studies teacher. Mary was committed to a life of service to others. She brought love, laughter and learning wherever she went.  

Mary would have graduated with honors this year, and she will receive her degree post-humously at an academic awards ceremony.