Helen and William Harford ’51 with their extended family
Saint Peter’s yearbook photo of William Harford ’51
Helen and William Harford ’51
A
The Most Meaningful Gift
t times, William Harford ’51 seemed
As the couple exchanged presents on Christmas Eve, Suni
larger than life. With a smile that could
informed her husband that the William Harford ’51 Scholarship
instantly light up a room, the longtime
for Service would soon be a reality. “What is the most meaningful
sales and marketing executive often
gift you could give anyone?” asked Woody. “At this point in our
set others at ease with a series of
lives, gift giving has become less about things and more about
quips that sparked infectious laughter
experiences. This was a gift she knew I’d value highly.”
among listeners. Yet beneath his jovial
Established with a $250,000 contribution, the William
personality was an intensity of purpose
Harford ’51 Scholarship for Service will provide tuition and
founded on qualities that had shaped his
other assistance for veterans who enroll at Saint Peter’s. The
life, like character, hard work and ingenuity. After the World War II veteran passed away on June 14, 2020,
scholarship recognizes the service of Harford, a Jersey City resident who graduated from Lincoln High School then enlisted
his family wanted to honor his incredible legacy. One idea
in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After two years in the Pacific
tossed around by his son and daughter-in-law, Woody and Suni
theater, Harford returned home and enrolled in a special program
Harford, was an endowed scholarship for veterans at Saint
to prepare veterans for college. With the assistance of the G.I. Bill,
Peter’s University. By winter 2020, the project hadn’t gained much
he enrolled at Saint Peter’s, where he studied business and played
traction—or so Woody thought.
on the varsity baseball team.
24
Summer 2022
