DeSales Announces Francis X. Cassidy Jr. Memorial Scholarship
In business and in life, Frank Cassidy Jr. valued relationships above all else.
The 1980 accounting graduate founded a successful tax accounting firm, FX Cassidy & Associates—now Specht, Higgins and Associates—in Bala Cynwyd, just four years after graduating from Allentown College. Through that business, he forged lifelong friendships.
“He was very much a relationship person; he always told me the only way to be successful in life is to help other people be successful in life,” says his oldest son, Frank Cassidy III. “He worked with thousands of individuals as a trusted tax and financial advisor, and he worked with many of those clients for over 30 or 40 years.”
The elder Cassidy passed away in 2022 but his son is keeping his memory alive and helping future generations of business students through the Francis X. Cassidy Jr. Memorial Scholarship, a $100,000 endowed annual scholarship.
Beginning in the 2025 academic year, an incoming first-year business student will receive a $5,000 merit-based scholarship for four years provided they meet certain criteria, including demonstrated financial need, submitting a resume and two-page essay, and maintaining a cumulative 3.0 GPA throughout all four years. Preference will be given to an accounting major from Springfield Township High School, Montgomery County, or La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, if applicable.
“My father came from a large Irish Catholic, middle-class family. Going to DeSales really afforded him the education and the opportunity to make something of his life, which he did. This scholarship is a way to give back to an institution that was good to him and that he was close with his entire life.”
In recognition of the scholarship, a plaque honoring Cassidy Jr. will be placed in the business center suite of the Gambet Center. Cassidy III—who serves as senior managing director at Walker & Dunlop, a real estate finance and advisory services firm—also plans to honor his father with an additional gift to the upcoming Breslin Welcome Center.
“He was very much a mentor to me in life and in business. He taught me how business is all about building that trust and friendship, and ultimately about being a good steward and giving back. I am happy to keep his legacy alive through DeSales, an institution he was very fond of.”
For those interested in contributing to the Francis X. Cassidy Jr. Memorial Scholarship, click here.