Foundation donates $78K for students

JOHNSTOWN — The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation presented Penn Highlands President Steve Nunez with a check for $78,000 prior to a recent foundation board meeting.

The contribution is designated for the Supporting Scholars Fund, which annually awards more than $35,000 in scholarships to deserving students.

This donation will be spread amongst three scholarships to be awarded to at least 16 high school seniors. The awards include the Destination Graduation Scholarship ($1,000 per semester to a minimum of one student annually), the Emerging Leader Scholarship ($1,000 per semester to 13 students annually), and the Presidential Scholarship ($3,000 per semester to two students annually).

This marks the second occasion that the College Foundation will have fundraised money to be used in the college’s Supporting Scholars Fund, joining a $54,400 donation in July 2023. Before these donations, Pennsylvania Highlands had provided students with these scholarships out of its annual operating expense budget.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation manages more than 20 scholarship programs, annually awarding more than $30,000 to deserving students.

These scholarships are generously supported by local businesses, regional philanthropists, the college’s own staff and faculty, and funds raised through events organized by the Foundation itself.