The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today announced the recipient of the annual memorial scholarship honoring the memory of Massport Chief Development Officer Lowell Richards, III. The 2021 Lowell L. Richards III Memorial Scholarship was awarded to South End resident and Boston Latin School graduate Camille Shilland. Shilland plans to attend Amherst College to study government in the fall with a goal of becoming a politician someday. She has participated in the Babson Entrepreneurship & Leadership Academy and was a volunteer tour guide at the Massachusetts State House. Shilland will receive $5,000 for college.
“Understanding the roles of local, state, and federal government are paramount to the success of Massport’s mission. Camille’s interest in government embodies the type of student we hope to reach through this scholarship, in memory of our dear friend and colleague Lowell Richards,” said Massport CEO Lisa Wieland. “We congratulate Camille in her determination to learn more about public service and we hope that Lowell’s legacy continues to inspire her along the way.”
The Lowell Richards Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who resides in the City of Boston, Chelsea, Revere or Winthrop and is interested in pursuing studies in government, public administration, management, planning, architecture or design. Richards was responsible for Massport’s strategic and master planning activities, including the airports and the Seaport, as well as the agency’s real estate development in South Boston, East Boston, and Charlestown. Richards joined Massport in 1999 and was previously the Assistant Secretary of Administration and Finance and Chief Development Officer for the Commonwealth and Deputy Mayor for Fiscal Affairs and Collector-Treasurer in the City of Boston.
To be considered for the Lowell Richards Memorial Scholarship, students are required to have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and submit an essay of 1,000 words describing their career interests or how their community service has affected their outlook on life. In her essay, Camille wrote, “Lowell Richard’s contributions to Boston-whether with regard to airport and Seaport development, housing, or countless other endeavors-are ubiquitous, yet his name is not found prominently displayed throughout the city. Rather, he is remembered for strengthening Boston from behind the scenes, a characteristic that I believe is true of many of the most impactful public servants.”
Applications are judged by a committee made up of Massport employees and a representative of the Richards family. Students interested in applying for the 2022 scholarship should visit www.massport.com/scholarships for eligibility requirements.