Three Pennsylvania College of Technology students received scholarships for 2011-12 from the Pennsylvania Land Surveyors' Foundation.
The foundation presented 10 scholarships totaling $17,000. Melissa D. Thorp, a Penn College surveying technology student from Curwensville, was ranked in first place among the recipients, garnering a $3,000 scholarship award.
The other Penn College recipients were Christian J. Hunter, a surveying technology student from Warren, who received fourth place and a $2,000 scholarship, and Steven F. Hargenrader, a surveying technology student from Marble, who received fifth place and a $1,500 scholarship.
The foundation presents scholarships to individual land-surveying students who are outstanding scholars, students and citizens.
Recipients' applications are ranked based on their SAT scores or cumulative college GPA; their activities and honors, work experience, leadership positions and distinguishing qualifications; the clarity of their ambitions and career goals; evaluation by their guidance counselor or college adviser; and their potential as a Professional Land Surveyor.
Penn College offers an associate degree in surveying technology. After completing the degree, students can continue their studies toward a bachelor's degree in civil engineering technology.
The Pennsylvania Land Surveyors' Foundation was established to promote, improve and encourage the profession and practice of land surveying in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
It seeks to create an awareness of the opportunities available in the land-surveying profession, provide financial assistance to persons pursuing an education in land surveying, make grants and contributions to educational institutions to enhance their curriculum related to land surveying, and provide financial assistance to persons or institutions for research in land surveying.
To learn more about surveying technology and other academic programs offered by the School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies at Penn College, call 570-327-4520 or visit online .
For more about Penn College, visit on the Web , email or call toll-free 800-367-9222.