James and Christine Laggis Wood, proud alumni of Ayer-Shirley Regional High School, have established the James and Christine Laggis Wood Education Foundation to bolster STEM education and student opportunities within the Ayer Shirley Regional School District. This new endowed fund aims to ensure that current and future students have access to essential resources that will aid their academic success.
Supporting Education Through Generosity
The foundation will provide annual contributions to the Ayer Shirley Education Foundation (ASEF), specifically targeted towards STEM programming. Additionally, it will offer a yearly scholarship to a student pursuing a degree in STEM or nursing. This initiative is part of the Woods’ estate planning, reflecting their commitment to support local education for generations.
Christine Laggis Wood expressed their motivation: “We both graduated from Ayer High School, and we absolutely loved it. It was a blue-collar town with so many bright, capable students. We were always proud of the community and the education we received there.” Her husband, James, who studied mechanical engineering, emphasized that supporting students in similar career paths holds special meaning for them.
The Woods partnered with the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts to ensure that the fund will be managed responsibly over time. “We trust that the fund will be responsibly stewarded forever,” they shared, highlighting their confidence in the foundation’s stewardship.
Enhancing STEM Education and Opportunities
The newly established foundation will enable ASEF to identify and fund impactful STEM initiatives across the district. This may include providing robotics and engineering kits, hands-on science lab equipment, artificial intelligence tools, and creating opportunities for students to engage in specialized STEM clubs and competitions.
“The Woods’ generosity strengthens our ability to evaluate and fund meaningful STEM enrichments,”
said Randy Clemence, Co-President of the Ayer Shirley Education Foundation. “Their commitment to our students is inspiring, and we are honored to help steward this support year after year.”
In addition to program funding, the endowment will provide an annual scholarship for students pursuing careers in STEM or nursing. The Woods are aware that some scholarships go unused due to a lack of awareness among families about available opportunities. Their goal is to not only provide financial support but also to inspire students and families to explore options they may not have considered.
This initiative marks the Woods’ second endowed fund with the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, following the creation of a fund supporting the Ayer Library in 2024. Both institutions hold significant value in their lives.
Christine concluded with a call to action for others in the community: “We hope others will think about what matters most to them. You really can shape your own legacy by supporting the programs and opportunities you care about.”
For those interested in learning more about establishing an endowed fund or supporting local initiatives, Erin Thomason, Director of Philanthropy at the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, can be contacted at [email protected].
