New Merit Scholarship to Foster Next Generation of Quaker Leaders

Moses Brown School has announced the largest scholarship endowment in its history, thanks to a $5.1 million commitment that will forever foster the next generation of Quaker leaders. This landmark gift establishes the Moses Brown Merit Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Leadership — a $25,000 merit-based scholarship continuable each year for four years, to be awarded annually to two incoming 9th-grade students starting with our inaugural awards in the spring of 2026. Funded by a significant estate contribution from Doctor Steven Freedman, Class of 1965, and current gifts from Steven and his classmates Terry Mahoney and Richard Fain, the fund is designated to launch immediately and to support the scholarship program in perpetuity. 

This scholarship program is designed to align with Moses Brown’s new strategic vision, Light the Way, by attracting and supporting exceptional students whose academic excellence and leadership potential will further enhance the school community.

Steven and Terry, friends since they entered Moses Brown as kindergartners in 1952, share a deep appreciation for the school community that fueled their lifelong love of learning. While their donation carries a sense of nostalgia—the friends love to share memories about long study halls and beloved teachers—their focus is firmly on the future.

After spending months in conversation with Head of School Katie Titus and school leaders, learning the school’s modern-day approach and vision, Steven and Terry were inspired to support the school’s evolution. The scholarship is intentionally focused on the higher purpose of finding a unique combination of academic excellence and leadership skills, ensuring merit is the determining factor in the selection process.

This winter, the Upper School admissions committee will identify two students whose intellectual curiosity will spark deep engagement with their peers through inquiry, reflection, and collaboration. Head of School Katie Titus noted that the school will seek in its Moses Brown Scholars a powerful fire of intellectual curiosity.

“The students that we see that really shine today are the kids who are passionate about something,” according to Katie. “They want to know that what they're learning has an impact – and not just for themselves, but for others.”

The kind of impact sought in Moses Brown Scholars is already exemplified by current students and recent graduates. 

Take Liam ’26, for example, who, upon discovering that fishing invasive green crabs required around $250 for licenses, a fee that was prohibitive to many, successfully lobbied the Rhode Island state legislature to pass a bill reducing the license fee for green crab fishing.

There’s also Kate ’25, a cum laude graduate who used her Class of 1948 independent research grant — a fund dedicated to student-led projects — to host 10 multi-state STEM programs focused on engaging young girls in public health, chemistry, biology, and engineering. And Vindhya ’26, the senior class co-President, used her For the Honor of Truth grant to create a documentary short film that examines the impact of religion on society in the modern world.

“The students who are in school now are going through a tumultuous time, but they will have the opportunity to remake our world,” says Steven. “I hope that in 25 years Moses Brown Scholars, imbued with Quaker ideals, will help shape the future of our cities, our country, and our planet.”

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The Moses Brown Merit Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Leadership is poised to ensure that the next generation of leaders will have the opportunity to pursue their passions and bring their light to bear on the world. For more information about this merit scholarship and its application process, click here.