Johnson College receives scholarship award Johnson College received a $1,500 scholarship to support its automotive technology students with demonstrated financial need. This is the 16th year that this particular scholarship has been awarded to Johnson College students. Scholarship funds are raised through donations, volunteer work, sponsorships and annual Villa Capri Cruisers Car Club calendar sales. Johnson College’s two-year associate degree program in Automotive Technology prepares students for entry-level positions in the automotive career fields of automotive service centers, engine repair/machine shops, automotive equipment distributors, independent service garages, automotive parts manufacturers, sales representation and auto insurance companies. Graduates may work with brake systems, transmissions, alignments and repairs; be representatives in claims, sales and service; or become truck/fleet maintenance technicians.
The Dime Bank names 2026 scholarship recipients The Dime Bank has awarded scholarships to six students from local school districts in honor of their academic achievements and leadership potential. This year’s recipients are Genevieve Neenan from Wallenpaupack attending Syracuse University, Timothy Jason from Delaware Valley attending Penn State, Mia Tallo from West Scranton attending Penn State, Megan Hartman from Scranton attending Penn State, Trevor Dressler from Wayne Highlands attending Shippensburg University, and Simon Kowalchuk-Swartz from Wayne Highlands attending Queen’s University in Kingston. To qualify for the scholarship, students have to be pursuing higher education in business, economics, finance, management or accounting. Each graduating senior received a $1,000 scholarship to support their continued education. You can learn more information about The Dime Bank’s scholarship program at www.thedime.bank/scholarship.
Incoming Penn State Scranton student receives America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship A Penn State Scranton student who’s going to begin his studies this fall has been recognized at the state level. Anthony Betti is a recipient of the America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship. Betti is a graduating senior from Mid Valley Secondary Center. He was one of just 25 students selected from more than 1,800 applications statewide. He’s also the only recipient from Lackawanna County. “Receiving the America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship means more to me than I can fully express,” Betti said. “When I learned I was one of only 25 students selected from more than 1,800 applicants, it didn’t just feel like an achievement — it felt like a pivotal moment in my life.” The scholarship is just one of the ways Pennsylvania is recognizing the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. It honors students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to serving their communities. Betti also attended a luncheon at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg, where he and other recipients met Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro.
Marywood University Announces New Endowed/Annual Scholarships Marywood University recently announced five endowed scholarships and two annual scholarships at the 2026 Scholarship Luncheon. The annual luncheon brought together students, donors, and esteemed guests to celebrate the impact of scholarships and express heartfelt appreciation for the donors who make scholarships possible. Emma Budnovitch ’26, Roaring Brook Township, BS Biochemistry, was the student scholar who spoke on behalf of the student scholarship recipients. She noted, “Scholarships do not just ease financial burdens, but they allow students like me to discover their passions and the confidence to pursue them. Because of your support, I did not just attend Marywood, I fully experienced it.” Institutional aid through scholarships allows Marywood University to assist students and make their education affordable and attainable. In 2025-2026, Marywood provided more than $3.5 million in institutional aid through 642 named scholarships awarded to 556 individual students. New endowed named scholarships can be established with a gift of $50,000 or more. New annual named scholarships can be established with a gift of $10,000 or more. For information on establishing a named scholarship, please contact the Office of University Advancement at 570-348-6238 or development@marywood.edu. The newly endowed scholarships include: The Rocco and Catherine Ciliberti Endowed Scholarship, established by Henry and Margaret Jordan Sallusti ’83, supports academically accomplished local students with financial need, who wish to pursue studies in Nutrition and Dietetics or the Health Sciences. The Kelleher Family Endowed Scholarship, established by Frank Kelleher ’03, Trustee of Marywood University, and his wife, Lauren, supports business students with financial need. The Dr. Lotte Behrendt von Kerczek Endowed Scholarship, established by Elisabeth Gilligan ’59, supports full-time undergraduates with financial need with preference to students enrolled in a major in Science, Math, or Computer Science Department or in the Health Sciences. The Class of 1972 Endowed Scholarship, established by the Marywood Class of 1972 in honor of their 50th Reunion, supports full-time undergraduates with academic achievement and financial need. The Joey Monaghan ’21 Endowed Scholarship, established by Richard Gorelick, supports full-time undergraduates with financial need who demonstrate leadership, compassion, and a desire to help others excel. The newly established annual scholarships include: The Dr. Alice Elaine McDonnell Annual Scholarship, established by Dr. Alice Elaine McDonnell, M.P.A. ’77, supports full-time graduate students in the Master of Healthcare Administration program with financial need and academic achievement. The Barbara Spellman Shuta ’68 Annual Scholarship, established by Barbara Spellman Shuta ’68, Marywood Alumni Association Board Member Emerita, supports full-time undergraduates with academic achievement and financial need.
Johnson College Receives $2,000 Contribution For Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association Scholarship Members of the Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association recently presented a $2,000 contribution to Johnson College to support the annual Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to two students in the Automotive Technology Program for the 2026-2027 academic year. The Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association was established in 1975 and has been funding the scholarship at Johnson College since 2009. The club raises funds through Cruise Nights held at the Viewmont Mall parking lot throughout the year. For more information about available scholarships at Johnson College, visit johnson.edu/scholarships.
Scranton Area Community Foundation Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients Scranton Area Community Foundation has awarded twenty students from thirteen different high schools a prestigious scholarship through the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund. This competitive scholarship provides $5,000 per year for each recipient for up to four years to assist with continuing education expenses. The following students are first-time recipients of a James F. Swift Scholarship: Noah Beckish (North Pocono), Caden Brennan (Carbondale), Jocelyn Brown (Carbondale), Holly Burke (Scranton Preparatory), Carolyn Chakiris (Mid Valley), Elizabeth Cummings (Old Forge), Celia Emiliani (West Scranton), Kate Evans (West Scranton), Nikauri Fernandez (Holy Cross), Emma Field (Scranton), Sarah Goetter (Mid Valley), Geanna Kirchner (Dunmore), Savannah Lockwood (Dunmore), Antonia Piraino (Lakeland), Allyson Stafursky (Valley View), Makenna Stugus (Abington Heights), Alexa Williams (Riverside), Sarah Wolfe (Riverside), Meghan Wong (Scranton), and Angela Zeng (Abington Heights). In addition to the 20 new recipients, there were 57 James F. Swift Scholarship renewals in 2024. The following students are recipients of a James F. Swift Scholarship Renewal in 2024: Ava Aulisio, Emma Aversa, Jacquelyn Bitter, Alexander Bond, Jillian Brennan, Cameron Butka, Joel Cali, Sofia Capozzi, Kaeden Carr, Riley Clarke, Ryan Coleman, Alyssa Cosklo, Ava Decker, Jayden Evans, Erileidi Fernandez, Sofia Flores-Weidner, Hunter Geise, Sadid Hassan, Courtney Hazelton, Matthew Howard, Emma Illian, Elina Joshi, Michael Kazmierczak, Eliana King, Kendal Johnson, Lorna Lynch, Dana Mackin, Hailey Matechak, Sara McCormack, Finley McHale, David McKenney, Thomas Milewski, Connor Monahan, Ayman Mounota, Owen Morgan, Julia Murphy, Mia Muskey, Paige Pezanowski, Ron Prislupski, Meredith Purcell, Mila Racibor, Ritu Regmi, Taralyn Reilly, Lexee Risner, Michael Rodyushkin, Kayla Rose, Chloee Rumford, Ryan Salony, Michael Sewack, Gabrielle Snee, Christian Snee, Ethan Symuleski, Alexis Tanana, Benjamin Thompson, Martin Turi, Jayde Waibel, and Molly White. The James F. Swift Scholarship Fund has awarded over $5 million since 2008, benefiting over 340 local students. Created in 2002 through a gift by Mr. James F. Swift to the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund supports higher education for students graduating from high schools in Lackawanna County. Following Mr. Swift’s death in 2006, the Scranton Area Community Foundation gratefully received a significant gift from his estate to the scholarship fund, allowing many students from Lackawanna County to pursue their academic and professional goals through higher education. The scholarship aims to provide an ongoing matriculation stream at Lackawanna County colleges and universities. The Scranton Area Community Foundation aims to award 75% of the scholarships to students who plan to attend institutions of higher learning in the Lackawanna County region. Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Laura Ducceschi praised Mr. Swift’s generosity, noting that “he has left a permanent and enduring legacy for our region’s youth. His scholarship fund makes higher education more attainable for generations of students.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation partners with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) in the Partnership for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Program to offer qualifying students additional financial aid. Through PHEAA, scholarship recipients may be eligible for additional dollars toward their tuition. For more information on the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation, please contact Brittany Pagnotti, Communications Director of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, at 570-347-6203.
United Way Announces Scholarship Recipient The United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike awarded the Mike Munchak Community Service Scholarship to Celia Emiliani, a 2024 graduate of West Scranton High School. The scholarship award was officially presented as part of the 28th Annual Mike Munchak Charity Golf Classic to benefit the United Way held at the Country Club of Scranton. The sold-out golf tournament raised over $100,000 for United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike. Over $1,600,000 have been raised during the 28 years of this golf outing. “For the past 28 years it has been our honor to welcome Mike back home to Scranton, and we remain grateful to him for his unwavering commitment to the people of our community,” said Gary Drapek, President and CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike. The United Way established the Mike Munchak Community Service Scholarship to assist high school students from Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties, who plan to continue their education in an accredited university, college, or trade school in a two or four-year degree program. The amount of the one-time scholarship is $6,300 in honor of Mike’s #63, retired by the Houston Oilers in 1994. Completing the scholarships 13th year of existence, a total amount of $81,900 in scholarship funds have been distributed to local graduates. To be eligible, candidates must be volunteers in programs funded by the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike, have a demonstrated commitment through community service activities and be full-time residents and/or students of a school district within Lackawanna, Wayne or Pike Counties. Additional requirements include a demonstrated financial need, academic achievement, agency recommendation and a track record of community service. “Education is one of our pillars here at the United Way. This scholarship is a prime example of how important a good education along with strong community involvement is in helping ensure Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties continue to Live United. Every year we are amazed at the amount of Hall-of-Fame caliber seniors who apply for this scholarship. The future certainly remains bright here in NEPA,” added Drapek. The 2024 scholarship recipient is Celia Emiliani, a West Scranton High School graduate who will be attending the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a degree in International Business. Celia’s community service accomplishments include the American Red Cross Blood Drive, activities at the Knights of Columbus, St. Patrick’s Food Pantry, Scranton 1/2 Marathon, Community Intervention Center, Read Across America, Scranton Public Library among many other activities. Additionally, Celia is a member of the National Honor Society, West Scranton High Class President of 2024, Student Representative to the Scranton School Board, SADD Club Secretary as well as an array of clubs and activities in which she is engaged. The Scholarship Committee noted Celia’s superior GPA as well as the leadership qualities she exhibited throughout her time at West Scranton. “Funding essential programs throughout Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties as well as running our own community outreach programs has led us into our 2nd Century of Service in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Continuously evolving each and every year has been the key to our success. Like the mindset of a Hall-of-Fame Athlete, we set a goal every year and do everything in our power to achieve that goal, just like our homegrown football legend himself, Mike Munchak,” Drapek concluded.
FNCB Bank Announces Scholarship Funding to Luzerne County Community College FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, is pleased to announce a Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation of $25,157.87 to Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) to fund scholarships for 19 students enrolled at LCCC. Luzerne County Community College is a student-centered institution prioritizing support and access to an inclusive, equitable learning environment that fosters academic and personal success and strengthens communities in the Northeast Pennsylvania region. “We congratulate the 19 recipients of this year’s scholarship funding,” said Gerard Champi, FNCB Bank President & CEO. “We look forward to witnessing their continued success at Luzerne County Community College and beyond.” Since 2010, FNCB has contributed more than $3,000,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative. The support of LCCC is part of FNCB’s Community Caring initiative. As a true local community bank, FNCB is making a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.
The Dime Bank 2023 Scholarship Recipients The Dime Bank has awarded scholarships to six students based on their academic and leadership capabilities from Wallenpaupack Area, Wayne Highlands, Delaware Valley, Carbondale Area, Scranton, and West Scranton school districts. The students must be furthering their education in the field of business, economics, finance, management, or accounting to be eligible for The Dime Bank Directors Award Scholarship. Each graduating senior received $1,000.00 to attend the college of their choice. The Dime Bank is proud to support future leaders with this educational assistance.
