william conner service award

The William Conner Service Award was established to recognize the profound philanthropic impact of William Conner, whose dedication to supporting young people has left a lasting legacy in the Millcreek  community and transformed the lives of countless McDowell students.

In 1977, William Conner founded the Jim Conner Memorial Foundation after the tragic death of his 15-year-old son, a McDowell High School Sophomore. He has privately funded more than $1.5 million in college scholarships! What began as a heartfelt tribute to a child taken too soon, has grown into a lasting legacy that has enriched students’ lives and expanded access to educational opportunities that may not have otherwise have been possible. Through his five decades of selfless giving, William Conner has ensured that his son’s memory lives on in the futures he continues to build. The William Conner Service Award has been established as a sincere expression of gratitude to a man who has given so much of himself and whose profound philanthropic impact will continue to be felt for years to come. 

We invite you to join us in honoring William Conner's incredible legacy by contributing to the service award. In keeping with Mr. Conner’s belief in the power of education and opportunity, the monetary award will be presented to a college-bound McDowell senior whose achievements reflect his values, with the student selected from nominations received from teachers and staff at McDowell High School.