DUBOIS, Pa. — Investment in student success is a priority, not just for faculty and staff, but for the community at large at Penn State DuBois. Scholarships continue to be established at this small but mighty campus, with awards totaling over $650,000 for the 2020-21 academic year.

Students and philanthropists gathered on April 1 to celebrate and talk about the positive impact these gifts have been able to make in their lives during a scholarship luncheon held at the DuBois Country Club.

Students and donors were seated together and have the chance to get to know each other on a more personal level.

The event began with a welcome and opening remarks from Jungwoo Ryoo, Penn State DuBois chancellor and chief academic officer. “We thank you, our donors," said Ryoo. "The relationship between you and students is paramount in their success as there is still an annual unmet need of over three million dollars." Unmet need is the difference between the total cost of a student’s education for one year and the amount of the expected family contribution combined with all sources of student aid funding received, including student and parent loans.

Student speakers included Rachel Russell, recipient of the Doug and Jackie Kohlhepp Endowed Scholarship; and Haeden Allbeck, recipient of the Mark L. Freemer Scholarship.

Russell is an Honors scholar and said, “I had the opportunity to present research findings at the National Criminology Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Without the Honors program [and scholarship] I would not have had the opportunity to conduct research and travel to see new parts of the world.”

Allbeck spoke next and expressed, “I want to thank the generous donors who I received scholarships from in order to assist in the exceptional experience I have had at Penn State DuBois. Without you, much of this could not be possible.” She has accepted a position for a non-profit organization working to protect natural resources and the economic vitality of communities.

After hearing about the direct impact investing in DuBois students has made, the group heard from Dustin Minarchick, CNB Bank Market President, representing the CNB Bank Open Doors Scholarship.

“We want to promote leadership and diversity to help students achieve dreams and fill gaps,” said Minarchick. He offered students advice on how to succeed, and how to "fail forward."

Alex Gasbarre, CEO of Gasbarre Products Inc., shared the history of how the Melvin Henry Memorial Scholarship was established after a long-time member of the team unexpectedly passed away. “Our hope with the scholarship will be to allow others with the same drive for constant learning as Mel to continue their education,” said Gasbarre.

Jean Wolf, director of development at Penn State DuBois said, “we have the most wonderful faculty and staff here in DuBois and they do such a great job with the students and our donors recognize that. We are so grateful for their continued support.”

Pictures from the 2021-22 Scholarship Celebration program can be viewed at this link. Those interested in supporting student success at Penn State DuBois can contact Jean Wolf, director of development, at 814-372-3038 or jaw57@psu.edu.

Support for scholarships will advance "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," a focused campaign that seeks to elevate Penn State’s position as a leading public university in a world defined by rapid change and global connections. With the support of alumni and friends, “A Greater Penn State” seeks to fulfill the three key imperatives of a 21st-century public university: keeping the doors to higher education open to hardworking students regardless of financial well-being; creating transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom; and impacting the world by serving communities and fueling discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. To learn more about “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” visit greaterpennstate.psu.edu.