MANSFIELD, PA— Eighteen Mansfield University students who are veterans were awarded scholarships at the Veterans Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, November 10.
The scholarship funds, totaling more than $18,000, have been raised by the MU Veterans Support Group, which is comprised of faculty, staff and student veterans.
“Special thanks to Dr. Josh Battin, chair of the Criminal Justice Administration Department, who has established a direct outreach and partnership with area VFW’s, American Legions and Vet Clubs, along with Annie Brooks, Annual Fund Coordinator for the Mansfield University Foundation,” Roger Maisner, coordinator of Military and Veteran Affairs, said.
The Shirey-Cromley Yellow Ribbon Scholarship was awarded to Adrian Peery (Wellsboro, PA).
The scholarship, established in 2014 by Brenda (Shirey) Cromley, a 1977 Mansfield graduate, and her husband Marlin Cromley, an Air Force veteran, is to provide recognition and financial assistance to veterans to assist and enable them to pursue a college education and find lasting success on the home-front.
While attending a donor banquet, the Cromley’s heard about the impact reduced funding from the State System was impacting current and future students.
“We left that dinner and considered what we could do to help students,” Marlin Cromley said. “Both Brenda and I received scholarships when we went to college and were grateful for the assistance. As an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War Era, I understand the financial hardships that a veteran faces while attending college. One of the reasons that we established the Shirey-Cromley Yellow Ribbon Scholarship was to lessen that hardship.”
The following students received the Members of the Military Scholarship;
Dustin Ackley (Athens, PA), Richard Bailey (Towanda, PA), Breyann Campbell (Wellsboro, PA), Christopher Decatur (Sayre, PA), Ryan Fox (Mansfield, PA), Rachael Horvath (Covington, PA), Zachary Kisner (Mansfield, PA), Matthew Lumia (Bath, NY), Jesus Montiel (Wellsboro, PA), Jesse Olson (Galeton, PA), Adrian Peery (Wellsboro, PA), Adam Richardson (Paxinos, PA), Michael Rizzo (North East, PA), Mayone Saunders (Columbia Cross Roads, PA), Joseph Sepiol (Wellsboro, PA), Christian Verrastro (Lehighton, PA) and Harlie Wise (Mansfield, PA).
Mansfield VFW Post 6757 was instrumental in establishing the Members of the Military Scholarship Fund. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide recognition and financial assistance to veterans and active-duty personnel to assist and enable them to pursue a college education.
“Getting a job or staying competitive in today’s workplace involves showing employers you have the skills and experience to get the job done,” Maisner said. “In many cases, returning to college is a must. MU’s goal is to do all we can to make that happen by providing scholarships for financial assistance to Veterans and active-duty personnel to assist and enable them to pursue a college education and find lasting success on the home-front. These scholarships, which are supported by private contributions through the Mansfield University Foundation, Inc., assist current and retired members of the military and veterans who have been honorably discharged from military service pursue a college degree later in life or allow them to pick up where they left off when their studies were interrupted.”
Military and veterans scholarships at Mansfield are supported by Marlin and Brenda (Shirey) Cromley, Arnot Sportsman Association, Morris Run Legion Post 157, Bonnie Phelps, Troy Vets Club, Mansfield VFW Post 6757 and Dusty Zeyn. They are administered by the Mansfield University Foundation.
For information about academic programs and support for Military and Veterans at MU, go to mansfield.edu/military-veterans or email rmaisner@mansfield.edu
For additional information on these scholarships or how you can provide financial assistance to service members and their families, go to foundation.mansfield.edu, call (570) 662-4296, or email mengel@mansfield.edu