UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- PJ Dick and Trumbull Corp. have committed a total of $350,000 over the next five years to establish two scholarships in the College of Engineering.

The scholarships will provide recognition and financial assistance to academically talented juniors and seniors who are majoring in architectural engineering or civil engineering.

Architectural engineering graduate Jeff Turconi, president of PJ Dick, said creating scholarships at Penn State was an easy decision. "One third of our employees are somehow affiliated with the University, whether it's because they graduated from Penn State, they are kids of graduates or have kids attending. It makes sense to support a university that's been supporting our companies' growth and development."

Turconi has remained active with the architectural engineering department by serving as a member of the architectural engineering thesis jury and a PJ Dick representative at Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence activities. He and Trumbull Corp. President George Mezey, a Penn State civil engineering graduate, support the companies' participation in the annual civil engineering and architectural engineering career fairs so that they can network with prospective employees.

Despite this ongoing involvement, Turconi said, it is still difficult to find enough quality STEM graduates. "There is a real demand, especially in architectural engineering and civil engineering and specifically in the construction industry. We need more high quality engineering candidates to meet the growing needs of our clients."

He hopes that scholarships such as those created by PJ Dick and Trumbull might entice more students to consider earning an engineering degree. "Penn State already provides an affordable education. These scholarships will help make it even more affordable."

"Our hope is that PJ Dick and Trumbull's scholarship contribution will make a difference in the lives of some young people while also benefiting the construction industry," said Clifford Rowe, chief executive officer of PJ Dick.

Chimay Anumba, professor and head of the Department of Architectural Engineering, expressed gratitude for the scholarships and said, "We are most grateful to PJ Dick and Trumbull Corp. for investing so much in our students. The scholarships will go a long way in making a Penn State engineering education possible for many deserving students."

Penn State's alumni and friends are invaluable partners in fulfilling the University's land-grant mission of education, research and service. Private gifts from alumni and friends enrich the experiences of students both in and out of the classroom; expand the research and teaching capacity of our faculty; enhance the University's ability to recruit and retain top students and faculty; and help to ensure that students from every economic background have access to a Penn State education. The University's colleges and campuses are now enlisting the support of alumni and friends to advance a range of unit-specific initiatives.