New scholarship honors memory of Professor Kelleher
Published on October 24, 2025
NORTH EAST, Md: The Cecil College Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Professor John Kelleher Memorial Scholarship, a new financial assistance initiative established by the faculty of Cecil College to honor the legacy of Associate Professor of History John Paul Kelleher and to bolster the next generation of history-minded scholars in Cecil County.
Professor Kelleher served at Cecil College from 2017 until 2025. He was deeply committed to learning, meaningful conversation, and service to others.
“Professor John Paul Kelleher’s kindness towards his students and passion for history not only rebuilt my self-confidence as a returning adult student, but it also showed me how to be a truly great teacher. I have become a more forgiving and understanding person who hopes to inspire people as a history teacher, just like Professor Kelleher inspired me,” said Scott Simpson, a recent Cecil College graduate.
Professor Kelleher’s wealth of knowledge and compassion inspired both students and colleagues. Professor Kelleher understood that for human beings to thrive in the present, we must understand our shared past. In that spirit, the Memorial Scholarship is designed to carry forward his mission by supporting students who demonstrate enthusiasm for the study of history, with special preference for those intending to teach history or pursue related fields.
Professor Kelleher’s dedication to education began when he earned a B.A. in History from Drew University with a minor in Russian. He went on to complete an M.A. in Soviet and Russian History from Indiana University and to achieve ABD status in American Urban History at Loyola University Chicago.
His education laid the foundation for what became both his profession and his calling. He brought a global perspective and rich experience to his teaching: from working at the Moscow Energy Institute in the former Soviet Union, to teaching English as a Second Language in the Czech Republic, to teaching high school social studies in New York, Madrid, and Berlin, and finally to higher education instruction beginning in 2009 and culminating in his eight‑year tenure at Cecil College.
This scholarship supports students with an expressed enthusiasm for the study of history, giving preference to those with an intention to teach history or pursue related fields. They must have taken at least one history class at Cecil College and earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher in that course. Recipients will be selected based not only on academic performance, but also on their expressed commitment to history, service, and education.
Donors who wish to honor Professor Kelleher’s legacy and support future generations of history educators and scholars may contribute online at www.cecil.edu/donate or by check payable to “Cecil College Foundation,” sent to: Cecil College Foundation, 1 Seahawk Drive, North East, MD 21901.
The Cecil College Foundation is now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 academic year. Interested students may apply for this and other Foundation scholarships by visiting www.cecil.edu/scholarships.