Feature Stories 2025: Thomas McGovern Scholarship Fund: Honoring a legacy founded on generosity

Tuition, textbooks, bar exam preparation, technology—the rising cost of law school poses significant monetary challenges for students striving to spark embers of change. Yet for some, all it takes is one helping hand to keep the flame alive. 

That’s the vision behind the newly established Thomas McGovern Scholarship Fund. Originally founded through the Fall River and Bristol County Bar Associations to help students with law school expenses, the fund now continues at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Law (UMass Law), offering critical support to students, with preference for those from Bristol County, Massachusetts. 

“This scholarship will ease financial burdens, help students move closer to graduating debt-free, and empower them to use their passion for justice to serve SouthCoast communities with limited access to legal resources,” said UMass Law Dean Sam Panarella. “As the Commonwealth’s only public law school, UMass Law is proud to carry forward this legacy of support, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to the opportunities they need to succeed.” 

“Someone helped my father succeed in law school, and that generosity was the turning point for him,” said Sally Spooner, McGovern’s daughter. Along with her sister, Patricia McGovern, Sally contributed additional funds to bring the scholarship’s balance to $25,000—enough to endow the fund and qualify for a matching contribution through the Public Higher Education Endowment Incentive Program (PHEEIP). “Sometimes one major obstacle—whether financial, family-related, or otherwise—can make staying in school feel impossible. He wanted to help remove that barrier.  

“UMass Law's approach to teaching the practice of law best aligns with my father's beliefs,” continued Sally. "My father wasn't one to complain about something that he didn't like. He would take action and never stop pursuing justice.” 

“UMass Law and its mission to serve those in need made it the ideal home for the fund,” echoed Patricia. “I think my father always thought of law as a way to help others, and UMass Law’s focus on public service aligns perfectly with what he believed being a lawyer was all about.” 

This scholarship was inspired by McGovern’s own experience struggling to pay for his law education. In the Mission Hill section of Roxbury, MA, McGovern grew up as the proud son of Irish immigrants in a very modest household where strong family ties and a deep sense of community—hallmarks of Boston’s Irish culture—were central to daily life. Being kind and helping others were values his parents instilled in him early on, but it was education that became his way forward—a means of honoring their sacrifices, breaking free from generational chains, and building a future beyond the limitations of his ancestry. 

As McGovern climbed the ladder of education, each rung reflected perseverance and the quiet strength of his upbringing. Despite being on a tight budget from his job at Beth Israel Hospital, where he earned $27 per month, he enrolled in classes at Suffolk Law School, driven by his passion for helping others. Surviving off the two meals a day provided by the cafeteria and using his two hours off in the afternoon to study in the lunchroom, he remained determined to make every moment count toward his goal of becoming a lawyer. 

“Someone helped my father succeed in law school, and that generosity was the turning point for him. Sometimes one major obstacle—whether financial, family-related, or otherwise—can make staying in school feel impossible. He wanted to help remove that barrier."

When he could no longer afford the streetcar fare from Suffolk to Beth Israel, McGovern transferred to Northeastern University School of Law, where he could easily cut through the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood to avoid unnecessary costs. However, another obstacle arose that nearly derailed his entire journey—textbooks. 

With no money in his budget for the expensive law books, McGovern found an unlikely source of support in Frank Neal, a friend who worked at a small general store for athletic supplies at a local YMCA. Neal generously loaned McGovern the materials he needed throughout his time at Northeastern, a critical factor in his ability to succeed in law school and, ultimately, in his later career. 

McGovern served in the U.S. Army during World War II before joining the Youth Services Board in Fall River in 1946. He began as a visitor and guardian and later became a field supervisor for older boys, overseeing their care, advocating for their needs, and supporting their reintegration into school, work, and community life. After a decade in that role, he transitioned to probation, where he continued his efforts to reform and support individuals from every walk of life. 

As Chief Probation Officer for the Southern District of Massachusetts, McGovern oversaw staff expansion and helped create the Pretrial Services Agency to reduce court backlogs. After retiring in 1989, McGovern opened a private practice, focusing on court-appointed cases for individuals unable to afford private counsel. 

“I hope recipients of this scholarship are able to continue their studies with some peace of mind,” said Sally. “That's really all he would have wanted. He wanted everyone to have enough to chase their dream.” 

“We want this scholarship to do for students what that act of generosity did for him—to fill the gap for those facing obstacles to realizing their ambition of becoming lawyers,” added Patricia. “Whether they’re drawn to public service or another path, this support is meant to help them take the next step when something stands in their way.”