The Lightlife Foods booth at the Green River Festival had a new mission – all of the proceeds from their sales were donated to the Gretchen S. Watson Scholarship Fund. Lightlife Foods served up a healthy vegetarian option for festival-goers at their concession stand, staffed by Gretchen's daughter and Lightlife employee, Sophie Gardner, and other employees from the well-known Turners Falls business.

Barb Knapp, who works in sales at Lightlife, a long time Franklin County business that creates "veggie goodness for you and the planet," proposed the collaboration to GCC Dean of Student Affairs, Terry Boyce. "I thought it was a great idea," said Boyce. "We are always looking for ways to grow the scholarship fund to honor Gretchen and help our students afford their education. " Knowing that thousands of people would be attending the Green River Festival, she thought it was "a great opportunity to raise funds for the scholarship and make sure students are aware of it when the applications come out in the spring." A poster about the scholarship fund and Lightlife's donation was prominently displayed at the Lightlife food concession.

Two $500 scholarships, established by family, friends, colleagues, and students in memory of Gretchen S. Watson, Professor of English at Greenfield Community College from 1985 to 2006, are awarded. One each to a Greenfield High School student who plans to attend GCC and to a current GCC student, who embody the qualities Professor Watson brought to the college, as much in potential as in current and past accomplishments. Intellectual curiosity, a passion for learning, and a sense that everyone benefits when we are all responsible and respectful members of the world community marked Gretchen's identity as a person and a teacher.

With characteristic zest, good humor, and belief in the power of knowledge and the potential of her students, Gretchen taught a range of courses. "Gretchen believed her job was to teach students about our world. When she taught writing or literature, she always taught it in the context of what is going on in the world," said Jim Gardner, her husband of 32 years.

GCC President Robert Pura thanked Lightlife and Gretchen's family – her husband Jim and children Sophie and Andrew Gardner – for continuing the work of Gretchen's legacy. "Every college has a group of faculty or staff whose values, heart, intelligence and courage are really at the core of the development of that college. Gretchen Watson was one of those individuals for Greenfield Community College," said Pura. "I'm certain that the Gretchen Watson Scholarship recipients will embody all that Professor Watson represents to GCC."

For more information about the Watson scholarship and other scholarships available, contact the Financial Aid Office at 413-775-1109 or to make a contribution, contact the GCC Foundation Office at 413-775-1600.