Professor Paul B. Thornton Leadership Excellence Scholarship

The Professor Paul B. Thornton Leadership Excellence Scholarship was established in 2018 to honor Professor Thornton’s teaching, leadership and commitment to Springfield Technical Community College. This scholarship will provide financial assistance to a deserving Business student who demonstrates leadership skills.
Professor Paul B. Thornton taught management and leadership courses at Springfield Technical Community College for 20 years. Paul firmly believed in each student’s individual potential and designed every class in order to teach and inspire students to learn management practices which they could apply in their professional and personal lives. Professor Thornton’s interest in leadership began as an undergraduate student in Paul Hersey’s management class at Ohio University; Paul Hersey is best known for conceiving the Situational Leadership Model. His interest evolved into passion which is reflected in Paul Thornton’s teaching, college coaching, parenting, training and consulting. He is the author of numerous articles and 14 books on management and leadership. Since 2014, Paul has designed and hosted the annual STCC Leadership Conference.

The purpose of the Professor Paul B. Thornton Leadership Excellence Scholarship shall be to provide scholarship assistance to a student who:
a. Has completed at least 24 college credits in the Associate in Science in Business or Business Transfer degree program;
b. Has a current grade point average of 3.0.;
c. Has demonstrated leadership skills through team leadership roles in class or College related activities.

Student must complete application process as defined by the STCC Foundation to include a recommendation from a current faculty or staff member at Springfield Technical Community College.

Applications will be reviewed by the chairperson of the Business Department with the assistance of no less than two additional members of the Business Department Faculty.
This scholarship was established by Paul’s friends, family and colleagues to ensure that Paul’s legacy of leadership and commitment to Springfield Technical Community College will forever be recognized.