Each year, the Worcester Educational Development Foundation (WEDF) honors outstanding graduates of the Worcester Public Schools and community partners who have made a lasting impact through their professional achievements, leadership, and service. The Distinguished Alumni and Friends of Worcester Public Schools Awards celebrate those who exemplify excellence, give back to their communities, and inspire the next generation of students.
Watch the video above to see highlights from this year’s celebration, and read the profiles below to learn more about the honorees recognized at the event.
Dr. Katie (Moynihan) Hardart — Doherty Memorial High School
A proud graduate of Midland Street School, Chandler Junior High School, and Doherty Memorial High School, Dr. Hardart earned her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Dartmouth College and her medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine. A former fellow in medical ethics, she now serves as the Director of Pediatrics at New York Presbyterian Westchester Hospital and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons.
Melanie Bonsu — Doherty Memorial High School
Melanie is a graduate of May Street School, Forest Grove Middle School, and Doherty Memorial High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Worcester State University in 2005 and currently serves as Community Relations Manager at Saint-Gobain Abrasives. Deeply involved in civic life, Melanie volunteers her expertise across multiple boards, including the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Notre Dame Academy, and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.
Mike Lucas — Doherty Memorial High School
Mike attended Abbot Street School, Chandler Junior High School, and Doherty Memorial High School before earning his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and a master’s from Boston College. With a distinguished career in public education, he currently serves as the Superintendent of the Oxford Public Schools, where he continues to champion student success and educational equity.
Frank Carroll (Posthumous) — Commerce High School
Frank Carroll was a respected business and civic leader whose impact on Worcester endures. A Commerce High School and Worcester Junior College graduate, U.S. Navy veteran, and founder of the Small Business Service Bureau, Frank dedicated his life to assisting those in need, small businesses and supporting veterans. A tireless advocate for the Worcester community, he played a key role in the creation of the Korean War Monument in downtown Worcester.
Dr. Jill Beck — South High School
A graduate of South High School, Dr. Beck earned degrees from Clark University (BA), McGill University (MA), and City University of New York (PhD). A dancer, scholar, and educator, she made history as the 15th president of Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Her leadership and creative spirit continue to influence higher education and the arts.
Bill Wallace — Friend of Worcester Public Schools
As the Executive Director of the Museum of Worcester (formerly the Worcester Historical Museum), Bill Wallace has dedicated 50 years to preserving and sharing the city’s rich history. Under his leadership, the museum has expanded its reach and deepened its connection to the community, welcoming countless Worcester Public Schools students each year to learn about their city’s past and people.
Dr. Shirley F. B. Carter — Classical High School
Dr. Carter made history as the first African American graduate of the Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing. She continued her studies at Assumption University and UMass Amherst, combining a distinguished nursing career with a passion for teaching as a professor at Springfield College. A lifelong member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Dr. Carter is also a published author whose work explores race, resilience, and identity in 20th-century America.
Ken Bates — Burncoat High School
Ken Bates, a graduate of Burncoat High School, Worcester State University (BA), and Assumption University (MA), has spent his career leading nonprofit organizations that strengthen the fabric of the community. He currently serves as President and CEO of Open Sky Community Services, a major human services provider, and previously led The Bridge of Central Massachusetts. Ken’s lifelong commitment to improving lives through compassion and collaboration exemplifies the best of Worcester’s spirit.