Hard work is said to be its own reward, but for 15 undergraduate students, it has paid off with their selection for PNC Technology Scholarships for the 04-05 year.
Counting these latest awards, 54 scholarships have been given to students through PNC Financial Services Group's $1-million gift to IST. That equates to more than $135,000 in scholarships.
Selection for the scholarships is based on superior academic achievement and leadership, teamwork and communication skills.
"The scholarship support has pleased my parents and made the college-payment process more manageable,” said Ben Niebel, Class of ‘06, who has twice received the scholarship. "PNC’s support also adds legitimacy to the IST program and confirms we’re on the right line.”
For PNC, the scholarships represent an important investment in the future leaders of the global economy. The endowment, made in 1999, also speaks to one of IST's cornerstone philosophies—strategic partnerships between business and education.
"With our help, the school's graduates are making a difference in the position of Pennsylvania as a high-tech leader in this country," said Gary Evans, senior vice president, PNC Financial Services Group.
This year's new recipients are sophomore Robert D. Shedd, Jr. and first-year students Michael Kozeniauskas, Matthew Slocum and Laura Thomas.
Shedd is the son of Robert Shedd Sr. and Diane Shedd, Yardley. He is a 2003 graduate of Pennsbury High School. The son of Richard and Donna Kozeniauskas of Bensalem, Kozeniauskas is a graduate of Father Judge High School. Slocum, the son of Russell and Ann Slocum of Wyomissing, is a graduate of Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School. The daughter of Alan and Maribeth Thomas, Meadville, Thomas is a graduate of Meadville Area Senior High School.
Scholarship winners from 2003-04 whose awards were renewed this year are Elaine Lau, daughter of Ka-Sing Lau and Eveline Young, Pittsburgh; Tom Hubbell, Jr., son of Thomas and Teresa Hubbell, Allison Park; Niebel, son of Joseph and Sandra Niebel, State College; Reid Exley, son of Fred and June Exley, Belle Vernon; Lauri Cashman, daughter of Edward Cashman and Joyce Wiseman, Media; James Bolton, son of James and Christine Bolton, Edinboro; Henry J. Sommer IV, son of Henry and Jane Sommer, State College; Michael J. Sell, son of Michael and Kathy Sell, Verona; Clark Rexrode, son of S. Lee and Kimberly Rexrode, Edinboro; Andy Vance, son of Ronald and Amee Vance, Hummelstown; and Derek Reinhard, son of Mike Reinhard, Pottstown, and Pam Reinhard, Kutztown.
PNC's original gift, made through the PNC Bank Foundation, also supports an IST career development professorship. That is held by James Wang, an assistant professor of information sciences and technology.
A diversified financial services, organization, PNC employs more than 1,500 men and women in information technology positions.
