THE BILL & KATHRYN MATTHEWS MEMORIAL FUND

Providing access to a high-quality independent school experience can be life changing for students. Supporting middle- and low-income families is a challenge for almost any independent school, where resources are often less abundant than need. The Bill & Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund was established to help meet that need.
 
Since 2016, Berwick Academy’s partnership with Whittier Falls has provided a life altering educational experience for local students while also aligning with the school’s goals to increase racial and socio-economic diversity on campus. Known as The Matthews Scholars, the program’s students have been thriving at Berwick. Each year the students progress exponentially in the academic and social setting at Berwick with the support and encouragement of the school’s dedicated faculty.
Through The Bill & Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund, and the support of our generous donors, Berwick’s need-based financial aid program covers the full tuition for each Matthews Scholar. The financial aid awards will follow our Matthews Scholars through graduation.

The Scholars - Fast Facts

  • 6 Matthews Scholars in Grades 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 12
  • First Matthews Scholar graduated in June 2025 and is attending Keene State College
  • Newest Matthews Scholar in Grade 4 is thriving 
  • The fund has reached $1M in gifts and pledges

Grade 4 Matthews Scholar

Mark Summers, Grade 4 teacher

I am very impressed with her transition to the Berwick community and our Lower School. She exemplifies our Lower School motto of being kind, safe, and honest. She lights up a room with her smile and warm personality. She is caring and sensitive and looks for ways to help others. She is inclusive and has made some wonderful friendships so far this year. She is calm and collected and someone I can always count on to be focused and ready to learn. I appreciate her positive attitude and creative personality. She has a wonderful sense of humor and is very much her own person who carries a quiet confidence about herself. Even in situations where she may experience a conflict, she is able to exhibit a mature perspective and articulate her feelings in a composed manner.

First Matthews Scholar Graduates

Our very first Matthews Scholar, who began at Berwick in the fourth grade in the Fall of 2016 and graduated this past June​ (2025), ​just completed his first semester at Keene State College in Keene, NH. Majoring in Political Science, Legal Studies, and Theater, ​h​e has embraced all Keene State has to offer. He enjoys his classes, the campus, and several clubs including fencing and Dungeons and Dragons. Hoping to complete his undergraduate degree in three years, ​o​ur first Matthews Scholar is looking to pursue graduate school after Keene State. We could not be more proud!

-Dick Shafner '65 

The Matthews Fund provides a life-changing experience for these students.
Bill Matthews began his career at Berwick Academy in 1963 serving the school in a variety of roles until his retirement in June of 1979. Bill was remembered fondly by many alumni during the boarding school years (1960-1973). This fund was established to honor Bill’s legacy at Berwick and he and his wife, Kathryn’s, steadfast commitment to education.
For more information on The Bill & Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund please contact Stephanie Caswell, Director of Development (scaswell@berwickacademy.org or 207.384.6396).​

Berwick Academy

31 Academy Street
South Berwick, Maine 03908

Contact:
Admission | 207.384.6300
Main Office | 207.384.2164
Berwick Academy, situated on an 80-acre campus just over one hour north of Boston, serves 520 students, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 and Postgraduates. Berwick students are from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and several countries. Deeply committed to its mission of promoting virtue and useful knowledge, Berwick Academy empowers students to be creative and bold. Berwick strives to graduate alumni who shape their own learning, take risks, ask thoughtful questions, and come to understand and celebrate their authentic selves.

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