Elizabeth S. Blissell Scholarship recipients Danielle Richardson, right, and Branna Wyant at last year’s Penn State New Kensington Scholarship Reception at Hill Crest Country Club.
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. -- Penn State New Kensington awarded more than $850,000 in scholarships to campus students for the fall semester. Approximately 55 percent of the student population received an average award of $2,000.
The scholarships are supported by private donations and University funds. Based on a multitude of factors, including academic achievement, financial need and diversity, the scholarships were distributed to deserving students from cities and towns from across the commonwealth and the country.
“We know that the majority of our students work at least part-time, if not full-time, and carry a full credit load,” said Kary Coleman, director of development and alumni relations. “For many students, the stresses of working make it difficult for them to graduate on time, or graduate with the high GPA (grade-point average) they have the potential to achieve. Scholarships provide students with financial assistance so they have more time to focus on their studies, decrease the number and amount of loans they need to take to complete higher education and alleviate the financial burden often associated with college."
Recipients will be recognized publicly Oct. 20 at the Fall Scholarship Reception at Hill Crest Country Club. The annual event gives awardees a chance to meet their benefactors in person.
"Scholarships also educate our students on the power of philanthropy and the impact that a gift-whether great or small-can have on a life,” Coleman said.
Special guest speakers will be Robert Arbuckle, former campus executive officer and president emeritus of Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sgt. Jack DelloStritto, a second-year student in the biomedical engineering technology program and a sergeant in the Army National Guard.
Arbuckle headed the campus for 15 years, 1977-92. The campus’ Science and Technology Center was renamed the Robert D. Arbuckle Technology Building in 2012. DelloStritto, who has a 3.4 grade-point average, was one of three students to earn a Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society scholarship. He is a member of the 28th Infantry Division, one of the most decorated infantry divisions in the Army.
For more information on scholarships at the campus, visit Give to Penn State New Kensington
Bill Woodard
Alumni and Public Relations Specialist
