The association representing alumni of Pennsylvania College of Technology and its predecessors − the Williamsport Area Community College and the Williamsport Technical Institute − has established an endowed fund to award annual scholarships for children and grandchildren of the graduates of those institutions.
The goal of the Alumni Association for this scholarship fund is to award a minimum of one scholarship in the first year, using interest that accrues from the principal. The principal will remain intact in perpetuity.
"As alumni help make the endowed fund grow, the association believes that it can award several annual awards," said Barbara A. Danko, director of alumni relations at Penn College.
Eligibility criteria for the scholarship are:
- The applicant must be a child or grandchild of a graduate of the Williamsport Technical Institute, the Williamsport Area Community College or Penn College. First-time applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
- The student must have applied for, and be eligible for, financial aid
- The student must be enrolled full time
- Preference will be given to continuing students in subsequent years if a GPA of at least 2.8 is maintained
- The student must provide a letter that includes career and personal goals, involvement in high school activities and work experience
An Alumni Advisory Council composed of faculty, staff and retirees of the College has endorsed the scholarship. The council's members will be actively involved in selecting scholarship recipients.
Alumni Council members are Kelly Alexander, Paula Lupold, Thomas Marino, Patricia Martin, Ann Miglio, Patricia Rambo, Brett Reasner, D.E. Rightmire, Bruce Sechrist and Chalmer Van Horn.
Alumni ambassadors are vital to the continued growth of the College, since many students enroll upon the recommendation of alumni. The College recognized the valuable contribution of its alumni by establishing the Office of Alumni Relations. Establishing the scholarship fund has meant so much to so many of the College's alumni.
"I had such a great time when I was a student at W.A.C.C.," said Marjorie Withers, Class of '73. "I have terrific memories of friends who mean so very much to me. Contributing to the alumni scholarship fund gives me a quiet way to honor those memories and at the same time help a future student."
Daniel Madison, Class of '68 said: "I've been relatively successful in my life, and I owe that to my parents, my family, friends and my education. Supporting the Alumni Scholarship fund is just a small way to express my appreciation to the school, the instructors and the administration for how they helped me achieve my professional and personal success. I owe a lot to Tony Terrizzi, retired instructor, and Dr. Kenneth Carl, retired W.A.C.C. president, both of whom were true mentors."
Anyone wishing to contribute to the Penn College Endowed Alumni Scholarship fund should call Dennis L. Correll, executive director of the Penn College Foundation, at (570) 320-8020.
Alumni of Penn College or its predecessors who do not receive information from the Alumni Association are urged to contact Danko toll-free at 1-877-PCT-ALUM (1-877-728-2586) to be added to the mailing list.