The A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust has donated an additional $40,000 to a scholarship fund that will help students attain an education at Penn State DuBois. The fund, The Palumbo Scholarship at Penn State DuBois, was established in 2008 with a $25,000 gift from the Palumbo Charitable Trust. To date, the trust has gifted $230,000 to campus scholarship funds.
The scholarship is intended to provide recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled, or planning to enroll at Penn State DuBois, who have a demonstrated need for funding. All students who have achieved superior academic records, or those who show promise of outstanding academic success, will be considered for funding from the scholarship. However, first consideration will be given to students from Elk County.
Joe Palumbo, an A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust board member said the trust was created by his late uncle, A.J. It helps to carry on the legacy of A.J. and his wife, Sigismunda. Joe Palumbo said, "One of my uncle's wishes when he formed the foundation was to support education. He was a great believer in education, and how it improves lives and helps people to succeed. It's our pleasure to support schools, and our community."
A.J. Palumbo lived from 1906 until 2002, and amassed a fortune through hard work in the coal mining industry. Today, educational institutions, health care facilitates and youth organizations continue to benefit from his hard work through the A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust.
"Gifts like this one from the Palumbo Trust are incredibly valuable to our students," said Penn State DuBois Chancellor Melanie Hatch. "For many students, scholarships are what make their dream of a college education possible. These funds can mean the difference between earning that degree, and never being able to attend college at all. We are incredibly grateful for the support we receive from the Palumbo Charitable Trust, and all of our generous donors."
Each year, more than $300,000 in scholarship dollars is awarded to Penn State DuBois students through more than 50 individual scholarship funds. The scholarships established through the generosity of donors, with the assistance of the campus’ Office of Development, help to assure an affordable and accessible education remains in reach for area students.
The Palumbo Scholarship will help Penn State DuBois meet its goals in For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. This effort is directed toward a shared vision of Penn State as the most comprehensive, student-centered research university in America. The University is engaging Penn State’s alumni and friends as partners in achieving six key objectives: ensuring student access and opportunity, enhancing honors education, enriching the student experience, building faculty strength and capacity, fostering discovery and creativity, and sustaining the University’s tradition of quality. The campaign’s top priority is keeping a Penn State degree affordable for students and families. The For the Future campaign is the most ambitious effort of its kind in Penn State’s history, with the goal of securing $2 billion by 2014.