This scholarship honors the memory of Tom (T.D) Dowd who dedicated his life to higher education by teaching and leading by example, teaching High School Chemistry and A.P. Chemistry for 34 years. Tom’s devotion to teaching was only personified with being named the University of Rochester High School Teacher of the year in 1994 and in 1996 named the Hilton Central School District’s Teacher of the Year.
An avid sports fan, Tom took up football officiating in 1970 joining the Rochester Chapter of Certified Football Officials (RCCFO) with a career that spanned 50 years of service. Tom was also a 25-year member of the ECAC College football officials’ organization.
Tom’s dedication and professionalism to the game of football provided affiliated recognition; the 1994 RCCFO Football Official of the Year, 2009 inducted into the Section V Football Hall of Fame and 2019 the Greater Rochester Chapter National Football Foundation Outstanding Official award.
It is no coincidence that whether in the classroom or on the football field, Tom exemplified the saying, “to teach is to touch a life forever”.
This scholarship was established to not only honor Tom and pay tribute to his life, but to also honor his values and passions, while also helping to open doors for students who share similar interests
and desires.
2026 marks the launch of the Thomas E. Dowd Scholarship, established to provide an annual award to a child of one of our current members. Eligible applicants must be graduating seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who plan to attend a two- or four-year institution or enroll in a pre-professional or skilled trade program.
This year’s recipient remained on the High Honor Roll throughout her tenure at Our Lady of Mercy High School. She received the Monarch Award—granted to one student-athlete who exemplifies compassion, justice, faith, integrity, courage, and respect—for her contributions to the volleyball, softball, and basketball teams, where she served as senior captain. Additionally, she was a Section V Student-Athlete Leadership Representative. Beyond her academic and athletic success, she volunteered at her local church and Gigi’s Playhouse, an organization supporting individuals with Down Syndrome. She balanced these commitments with two jobs all the while maintaining a 3.77 GPA.
The Dowd family and the RCCFO are honored to present the inaugural scholarship to Bridget Wise. Congratulations Bridget.