UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- The Alle-Kiski Society of the Penn State Alumni Association awarded a record $5,500 in scholarships recently to four Penn State New Kensington students: Lynsie Headley, of Ford City; Alissa Dolensky, of Lower Burrell; Adis Juklo, of Pittsburgh; and Carley Carnahan, of Lower Burrell.
The students earned awards of $1,375 each. The total bested the $4,400 that was distributed a year ago. The society's scholarship is funded through the proceeds of the annual alumni golf scramble, held in August at the Links at Spring Church in Apollo. In the past four years, the tournament has raised $32,000.
The students were chosen for the scholarships based on their academic status (sophomore, junior or senior), cumulative grade-point averages (3.0 minimum), county of residency (Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler or Westmoreland) and an essay question ("Why do you feel alumni are willing to give back to the New Kensington campus, and how do you feel you will give back after graduation?"). In their essays, they portrayed the New Kensington campus as a positive learning experience that would encourage them to stay connected to the campus after graduation.
Lynsie HeadleyHeadley, a sophomore electro-mechanical engineering technology major, carries a 3.33 grade-point average. She is a member of the campus' GREAT (Growing Regional Engineering through Academics and Training) program, which matches promising engineering students with opportunities to build professional experience with local companies. Outside the classroom, the Lenape Technical School graduate is an orientation leader and chair of the Campus Activities Board. In the community, she is a volunteer at Burrell Township Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the township’s Historical Society.
Headley wrote in her essay: “Penn State New Kensington staff and students work like a well-oiled machine to create an experience that helps students thrive. I believe that is why so many campus alumni decide to give back to not only the school but the students. They know how hard it is to be a student that worries about finances, but they also know how the New Kensington campus lets everyone feel the sense of unity, pride and community.
Alissa DolenskyA sophomore in the Early Adolescent Childhood Education program, Dolensky is a member of the dean’s list with a 3.78 GPA. A product of Burrell High School, Dolensky was a member of the campus THON team and nominated to be an orientation leader, which she could not fully commit to because of her studies and employment schedule. She is active in her church, St. Margaret Mary.
Dolensky wrote in her essay: “Pride Day at orientation was the day that I felt like a real Penn State student, not because I had my official ID card, but because I developed my Penn State pride. I believe that this is why alumni want to give back to Penn State New Kensington. It is not because they feel that they must just because they graduated, but it is because they will always have Penn State pride.”
Adis JukloJuklo, a sophomore meteorology major, boasts a 3.69 grade-point average. The Fox Chapel Area High School graduate is treasurer of the Student Government Association, president of the Meteorology Club and a member of the THON team.
Juklo wrote in his essay: “Giving back to Penn State doesn’t have to be in the form of money. In my opinion, the best kind of giving-back is in the form of advice, or just being a resource for current students. When I started my college career at Penn State, I was rather overwhelmed at first. I had many questions about finances, academics and student life. Being there for students at orientation as not just a resource but as a friend, is what I think would make students a lot more comfortable on day one. Interacting with students, staying in touch with professors and advocating Penn State everywhere I go is what I would do to spread the Lion spirit.”
Carley CarnahanCarnahan, a Burrell High School graduate, is a senior psychology major with a 3.56 GPA. She is active on campus as a member of the Psychology Club and in the community as a Girl Scout leader. She wants to remain connected to the campus after she graduates next year.
Carnahan wrote in her essay: “After graduation, I anticipate that my primary means by which to give back to the Penn State New Kensington campus will be through promotion. My experience on the campus has been a very positive one, and I believe that I will be able to secure a rewarding career as a result of my education. If I am able to successfully pursue my career goal of working with at risk teens in the local high schools, I will be able to promote within the primary candidate pool. My ultimate goal to give back to the campus is to set up a scholarship in honor of my late cousin and former Penn State New Kensington student, Clay Dananay. Clay Dananay was a freshman at the Penn State New Kensington when he passed as a result of mental illness. A scholarship in his honor would be put in place with the intention of raising awareness of mental illness and the side effects of suicide.”
Alle-Kiski Society EndowmentThe Alle-Kiski Society Endowed Scholarship was established in 1992 and fully endowed at $15,000 six years later. Former society President Bill Salem founded the Alumni Golf Scramble in 2000 to nourish the scholarship fund. Proceeds from the tournament were earmarked exclusively for the endowment. Endowed gifts are held by the University in perpetuity. The initial gift is invested, and only a portion of the average annual investment return is spent. The remaining income is added to the principal as protection against inflation.
The society surpassed the coveted $100,000 mark in May. The alumni group, which is based at Penn State New Kensington, presented the campus a $10,000 check for the scholarship fund. The endowment now stands at $109,000, more than double its number of $51,000 five years ago.
As the scholarship fund grows, so does the amount of the annual awards. A total of $1,300 in scholarships went to the first campus recipients -- Kelly Doyle, Tara Murrell and Nicholas Wichowski. This year, the four students each got more than the total of the inaugural recipients. Since 1998, the society has awarded $53,500 to 59 campus students.
Golf ScrambleThe march to a $200,000 endowment begins 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, with the Alumni Golf Scramble. The shotgun-start tournament at the Links at Spring Church in Apollo is open to alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends of Penn State. The entry fee is $110 and includes green fee and cart, lunch, dinner, prizes and refreshments on course. A foursome may sign up, or individuals may sign up and be assigned to a short-handed team.
Various golf packages are available, including foursomes, tee sponsorships and "dinner only." Tee sponsorships are available for $100. Registration and sponsorship forms are online at http://nk.psu.edu/Information/News/46218.htm#NEWS46218.
Penn State alumni and friends are encouraged to reconnect with the University and campus by attending the Alle-Kiski Society meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. The next meeting is Aug. 17 at the Elks Lodge in Tarentum.
For the all-time list of Alle-Kiski Society scholarship recipients, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/46246.htm.
For more about the Alle-Kiski Society, visit http://nk.psu.edu/Information/News/46218.htm#NEWS46218.
Penn State’s alumni and friends are invaluable partners in fulfilling the University's land-grant mission of education, research and service. Private gifts from alumni and friends enrich the experiences of students both in and out of the classroom, expand the research and teaching capacity of our faculty, enhance the University's ability to recruit and retain top students and faculty, and help to ensure that students from every economic background have access to a Penn State education. The University's colleges and campuses are now enlisting the support of alumni and friends to advance a range of unit-specific initiatives.