Penn College

Newly endowed Penn College scholarship benefits veteran students

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Pennsylvania College of Technology has a long-established history of supporting its military and veteran students.

Now, thanks to the generous spirit of employees and students — and another boost from a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post — the Penn College Patriot Scholarship, which assists students who have served or are serving in the military, Reserves or National Guard — has reached endowment.

The scholarship was established in December 2015 by the college’s chapter of the Omega Delta Sigma National Veterans Fraternity with seed funding from the LeRoy O. Buck VFW Post 7863 in DuBoistown. Omega Delta Sigma works with nearly 400 veterans, active military and reserve students on the Penn College campus in helping them transition to college life.

The group’s popular red, white and blue jeans dress-down campaign inspired employees across campus to participate in fundraising efforts. With a contribution of $20 or more, employees could wear jeans with patriotic apparel on Mondays throughout February. This year alone, more than 150 employees contributed in excess of $9,000 to the fund, which brought the total near the needed endowment level. Another generous contribution by LeRoy O. Buck VFW Post 7863 finally pushed the fund past the endowment goal of $25,000.

“Nearly three years ago, we created the Patriot Scholarship to assist fellow veterans by making the dream of an applied technology education a reality for those who so bravely served and continue to serve our great nation,” said Efrem K. Foster, Omega Delta Sigma chapter president and an applied management student from Williamsport. “We are overwhelmed by the support of our campus community and thankful for their collective investment in the future.”

“We are grateful for the loyal, ongoing support of LeRoy O. Buck VFW Post 7863, as well as the contributions made by our own faculty, staff and students here at Penn College,” said Chet Beaver, coordinator of veteran and military services. “The startup gift from VFW Post 7863 helped us establish the scholarship fund — a fine example of fellow veterans helping veterans succeed. Their support, and that of the college community, will have a lasting impact on current and future veteran students.”

Preference for the Penn College Patriot Scholarship is given to students who are enrolled full time in any academic major; are veterans of the U.S. military, on active duty, or enlisted in the Reserves or National Guard; have applied and are eligible for financial aid; have financial need; and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better. Second preference is given to a family member of a U.S. military veteran qualified to receive Veterans Affairs Education Benefits.

The Patriot Scholarship is one of 11 Penn College scholarships that have been established by donors with a preference for veterans and members of military families. Awarding will take place this fall, thanks to an additional gift from Penn College supporters Marlin and Brenda Cromley.

Penn College is home to the Major General Fred F. Marty, USA Retired, Veterans and Military Resource Center, a comprehensive facility that provides a site for veterans and active-duty students to gather, collaborate, study and discuss their military benefits with campus mentors.

In addition to the nearly 400 Penn College students who are veterans or continue to serve in all branches of the armed forces, some 20 Penn College students serve as Army ROTC cadets in Bald Eagle Battalion with the goal of earning a commission as an Army officer.

To learn more about what Penn College offers to veterans and members of the military, visit www.pct.edu/veterans.

For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

Last Updated May 7, 2018