Class of 2015 endows scholarship

Members of the Class of 2015 are the first senior class to endow a scholarship thanks to a generous challenge from alumnus George Repchick '82 and his wife, Lynda.

The Repchicks challenged the class to have 25 percent of its members participate in the annual senior class scholarship before they graduated. They said that if the students could do that, they would contribute the rest of the funds necessary to reach the $10,000 endowment mark.

Student campaign volunteers ended up securing more than 29 percent participation with gifts averaging $10.35 from 90 students. After students raised $931, the alumnus contributed $9,069.

"As the generation closest to their education, students are aware of the contributions that have been made on their behalf and are eager to return the kindness," said Jill Ballard, executive director of institutional advancement.

Kyle Meserole was one of the students who worked on the campaign persuading classmates to give.

He said the student committee planned events to inform their fellow seniors about the gift and conducted a mail and in-person campaign.

"We quickly realized that the only true way to ultimately reach our goal was to approach students face-to-face," Meserole said. "An important part of the approach was making sure students understood that the amount was not a big deal, it was more about giving back and helping future Pitt-Bradford Panthers.

"Pitt-Bradford has been an important part of our lives, and by giving, we are helping ensure the strength of our alma mater in the future."

Other students on the committee were Kayla Beers, Yara Elbeshbishi, James Iverson, Sadie McLaughlin, Kelly Morrow, Casey Schimpf and Ashley Young.

This was the fifth year that Pitt-Bradford seniors have raised money for a scholarship. Participation peaked at 49 percent and 111 donors in 2014, when the same alumnus provided individual 2:1 matches for student gifts to the scholarship.

In general, the student rate of giving is about triple that of the Pitt-Bradford alumni donor base as a whole, which had an 8 percent contribution rate last year.

Ninety-three percent of Pitt-Bradford students receive some sort of financial aid, including donor scholarships ranging from $200 to $3,000 each.

The first Class of 2015 scholarship will be awarded for the 2016-17 academic year. Returning students interested in being considered for the scholarship should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid by March 1, 2016.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the fund may contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (814)362-5091 or visit www.upbalumni.org.

--30--