FIVE CAMPUS STUDENTS ARE RECIPIENTS
Next AKS Meeting
6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 19,
Dingbats/Royal Gatherings, Pittsburgh Mills
The Alle-Kiski Society of the Penn State Alumni Association awarded $3,000 in scholarships recently to five Penn State New Kensington students.
The recipients are Gretchen Toy of Kittanning, Pa; Shanna Williams and Corey Zell of Apollo, Pa; and Vanessa Peck and Justin Tinnemeyer of Lower Burrell, Pa. The society's scholarship, currently endowed at $51,000, is funded through the proceeds of the annual alumni golf tournament. In August, the tournament raised a record $6,800 as 83 alumni and friends participated in the 12th annual scramble at the Links at Spring Church.
Toy, a senior corporate communications major in the Honors program, was awarded $1,000. She carries a 3.98 grade-point average and was named outstanding junior in the communications program at the 2011 Academic and Student Achievement Awards ceremony. In addition to her academic prowess, Toy is active in numerous extra-curricular activities, serving as secretary of the Student Government Association, orientation leader, and writer for the Nittany Pride, the campus newspaper. She earned a Chancellor's Fellow award in 2009. The fellows program allows first-year students to collaborate with faculty on specific projects. The initiative provides students with tremendous opportunities to gain "on-the-job" experiences that are rarely found at the freshman level. Toy will graduate in December, a semester ahead of schedule.
Williams is a junior psychology major and received a $500 scholarship from the Alle-Kiski Society. She carries a 3.95 GPA and works in the Academic and Career Success Center where she tutors fellow students in a variety of subjects. Community service is a major part of Williams' off-campus activities. She has volunteered at Habitat for Humanity and the Rachel Carson Homestead, as well Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pennsylvania, an organization that teaches disabled children to enjoy and ride horses.
Zell is the recipient of a $500 scholarship. A junior electro-mechanical engineering technology major, he carries a 3.57 GPA. A cycling enthusiast, he is an active member of the USA Cycling and the National Bicycle League. In addition, Zell is a certified lifeguard.
Peck, a junior business marketing and management major, earned a $500 scholarship. She carries a 3.5 grade-point average while working full-time to pay for tuition. On-campus, Peck has served as an orientation leader and participated in THON.
Tinnemeyer received $500 in scholarship money. A sophomore mechanical engineering major, he carries a 3.25 GPA and is active in the community and in his church. He has participated in Relay for Life, Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, VAC Walk for Hunger and Voice of Martyrs. Tinnemeyer is a communion steward and instrumental soloist in his church.
Since 1998, the society has awarded $33,000 to 43 campus students. The amount awarded is expected to rise dramatically in the next few years as the alumni group increases its endowment level by 50 percent over the next three years. Last year, the board of directors approved a motion to donate $25,000 to Penn State's new fundraising campaign.
The society pledged to increase the principal of its Alle-Kiski Society Endowed Scholarship from its current total of $51,000 to $76,000 by June 2014. The philanthropic action was a response to a request by Roger Williams, executive director of the Penn State Alumni Association, for local alumni chapters and campus societies to accelerate the growth of their individual endowments during the University's fundraising effort, "For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students." The society has fulfilled more than 60 percent of the pledge.
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's scholarship was established in 1992 with an initial principal of $15,000. Six years later, it was fully endowed at $25,000. In addition to scholarships, the society sponsors a variety of campus activities throughout the year, including an alumni tent at the Fall Festival on Oct.1.
Penn State alumni and friends are encouraged to re-connect with the University and campus by attending the Alle-Kiski Society meetings that are held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at Dingbats Restaurant/Royal Gatherings in the Pittsburgh Mills. The next meeting is Sept. 19.
For more about the Alle-Kiski Society, contact Bill Woodard, uxw1@psu.edu via e-mail or visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Alumni/alumorg.htm?cn613 online.
AKS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
1998-2012
1998-99
Pat Neal
1999-2000
Jillian Savko
Edward Lee
George Madalay
2000-01
Holly Bell
Karen Bridge
Kimberly Lowers
Theresa Smith
Toni Vokes
2001-2002
Wendy Jarmul
Nicole Palucacos
Joseph Caliguri
James Dykes
2002-03
Ray Mastre
Matthew Marziale
Charlotte Caldwell
Dana Tolatta
2003-04
Pat Olstein
Kenneth Kocon
Charlene Barker
Shawn Vause
2004-05
Jeffrey Arvay
Krista Goch
Jamie Conrad
Kelly Mitchell
2005-06
Shirley Betush
Melissa Franklin
Danica Myers
2006-07
Jeffery Mangone
Marie Rosenberger
Julie Arvay
2007-08
Kristin Clyde
Danica Myers
2008-09
Julie Arvay
2009-10
Katie Shoemaker
2010-11
Melissa Gemballa
Ericka Watson
Jaclyn Burkett
2011-12
Gretchen Toy
Shanna Williams
Vanessa Peck
Justin Tinnemeyer
Corey Zell
SIGN-UP FOR FREE NEWSWIRE SERVICE
Receive stories like this in your email. The Penn State New Kensington Newswire is a free weekly electronic update of news and announcements from the campus. You can get timely information about new academic programs, admissions, career services, student activities, athletics, development and alumni, continuing education, and much more in your e-mail every Thursday. You can also subscribe to the free daily newswire service from University Park and other campuses. To keep in touch with the latest buzz, go to: http://newswires.psu.edu/
FOR THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN
Gifts from corporate supporters count toward the goals of For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. This University-wide fundraising 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 in private support by 2014. Penn State New Kensington's goal is $3 million.