Daniel Webster College offers $40,000 scholarship, and then some, to unknowing Boston-area participant on Montel Williams Show

(Nashua, NH) —It started off with a surprise telephone call to Daniel Webster College (DWC), Nashua, from a producer of the Montel Williams Show on Thursday, February 23. It culminated in a two-day turn-around presentation of a $40,000 DWC scholarship by DWC Vice President Sean J. Ryan to 24-year old Randolph (Randy) Waldron, of Revere, Mass., who jumped up out of his seat on stage of the Montel Williams show to literally bear hug Ryan — almost knocking him over — to demonstrate Waldron’s surprise and exhilaration at the opportunity to pursue his passion for aviation as a pilot.

The focus of the show, which was filmed February 28, and will air on Tuesday, April 25, 2006, featured three individuals whose identities were stolen by a parent. Randy, whose father left the family when he was very young, did not know his legal identity had been appropriated by his father until he applied for a credit card as a senior in high school, preparing, as many young people do, for life as a college student. It came as a complete shock, and as Randy looked further into it, his father had been using his son’s identity since infancy, running up thousands of dollars in debt, declaring bankruptcy, being convicted of three counts of felonious assault and battery, and owing both the IRS and State of Florida back taxes.

Ironically, during his senior year, Randy, who had moved with his mom to Conway, N.H., and wanted to pursue a career and degree in aviation, had visited the Daniel Webster campus in 2003. A DWC alumnus had even recommended him as a high-quality applicant.

“I knew of Daniel Webster College and its excellent reputation from a family friend, an alumnus of DWC. When I was younger, my mother encouraged me to follow in his footsteps and become a pilot through Daniel Webster's Flight Program. 

That visit never culminated in an application for admission, however, because by that time Randy was in the multi-year endeavor of clearing his identity, and he would have been unable to secure loans to assist with tuition.

In dealing with circumstances that could overwhelm a typical adult, let alone an 18-year old high school student, Randy industriously pursued the clearing of his name (not an easy bureaucratic task) and taking his identity back over the course of what turned out to be several years.

In the meantime, although his dream to fly was not to be at the time, his passion for aviation continued, as he followed a path into the airline industry as a flight attendant and customer service representative for a commercial airline.

Becoming a pilot never left the top of Randy’s personal and professional goals, however. “Honestly, I don't want to fly, I have to fly. Being a pilot has been my lifelong dream,” he recalled. “I grew up in Conway, N.H., but spent my summers living outside of Boston with my grandparents. As a child, I spent a lot of time reading books about airplanes, talking with pilots and 'plane spotting' at Logan Airport.”

Daniel Webster College, nationally recognized for its leading-edge collegiate education in aviation, including aviation flight operations (professional pilot), air traffic management, and aviation management, quickly determined that based on what they knew about Randy, he would be an appropriate applicant and that the College would award him a $40,000 scholarship, based on his meeting academic requirements, as well as the medical and physical requirements of the FAA. Ryan was flown to New York City by the Montel Williams Show, provided overnight accommodations, and brought onto the show, unbeknownst to Randy. After Randy told his story, Ryan was introduced to him, with the offer of the scholarship, as well as a gift bag of DWC paraphernalia. Tears abounded.

“I had no clue who he [Sean Ryan] was,” said Randy. “I just assumed that he was another guest until Montel introduced him. From there, I can't remember much at all, because I was overwhelmed with many emotions! I still have not fully comprehended this entire chain of events. When I was on the show, I really couldn't believe what was going on. I still find it amazing that anyone thought enough about my situation and extended a helping hand. It has forever changed my life.”

Based on Randy’s application to DWC, the College, in addition to the $40,000 scholarship offered on the Montel Williams Show, was also able to offer Randy a $4,000 alumni grant and a $10,000 merit scholarship, for a total of $54,000 in grants and scholarships.

Randy came to the Daniel Webster College campus in March, taking the typical campus tour, speaking with many different people in the division of aviation and admissions, and he actually had the opportunity to take a flight with one of the College’s Certified Flight Instructors.

“The campus is great; what I love about it is the feeling it has — it's very comfortable, very welcoming, and very intimate. My flight was wonderful; the professionalism of my instructor, the technology in use at the flight center, and the fleet of aircraft was extraordinary. What impresses me the most about Daniel Webster College is the kindness and superior spirit of everyone I've come in contact with at the college and the professionalism of the students and staff. I am so excited; I cannot wait to become a part of the Daniel Webster community.”

Daniel Webster College, founded in 1965, educates men and women for professional entry and advanced studies in its nationally-ranked degree programs in aviation, as well as its innovative programs in business and management, computer science and information technology, aeronautical and mechanical engineering, sport management, and social science.

Daniel Webster College's flight training program (professional pilot) is approved under the guidelines of federal Aviation Regulation Parts 141 and 61, and all instructors are Certified Flight Instructors. DWC's air traffic management major is one of only 13 academic programs recognized by the FAA as part of its Collegiate Training Initiative.