Allison Scholarship at Penn College Honors Three Generations

Published 10.17.2014

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Larry Allison Jr., a member of the Pennsylvania College of Technology Foundation Board of Directors and president of Allison Crane & Rigging, has created a scholarship fund at the college in honor of his father, Larry Allison Sr., who died earlier this year, as well as his grandfather and great-grandfather.

The Larry Allison Family Scholarship gives primary preference to any student who is an employee – or the dependent of an employee – of Allison Crane & Rigging, a Williamsport-based successor to Lycoming Construction Co., which was located from 1943-80 near the current site of the Breuder Advanced Technology and Health Sciences building on the main campus. The site is commemorated with a bulldozer blade, plaque and historical marker.

Larry Allison Sr., grandson of Lycoming Construction Co. founder Herbert F. Allison, died Jan. 22. The scholarship honors both men, as well as Herbert L. Allison, Larry Allison Sr.’s father.

Secondary preference for the scholarship will be given to students who are Pennsylvania residents and are enrolled in one of the following programs: civil engineering technology, surveying technology, construction management, heavy construction equipment technology and diesel technology.



Larry Allison Jr. and his daughter, Sadie, join Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour in front of a heavy-construction equipment blade on the campus site of the former Lycoming Construction Co., predecessor of Allison Crane & Rigging. The Allison family has established a scholarship fund at the college.“My family has a long-standing connection to Penn College, and this is where it all began – from the historical significance of our family business being located on what is now campus, to many of our employees having been educated and trained at the institution,” said Larry Allison Jr. “Establishing this scholarship is not only a fitting way to memorialize my father, but also a way to ensure our relationship with the college continues for years to come. I’m pleased that we’re able to help future students.”

“The bulldozer blade recognizing the past home of Lycoming Construction Co. is a wonderful addition to campus,” said Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour. “We are grateful to Larry Allison for his efforts to secure, recondition and place this blade at the former site of Lycoming Construction. This is an appropriate way to memorialize his father, grandfather and great- grandfather. I also extend my thanks to Larry for his support of the Penn College Scholarship Campaign and his ongoing interest in Penn College and our students.”

The bulldozer blade carries a plaque noting its benefactors and their honorees.Robb Dietrich, executive director of the Penn College Foundation, added: “Larry has been extremely active and supportive of Penn College since joining the Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2009. Establishing this scholarship further demonstrates his belief in, and commitment to, the applied technology education that we provide. We are extremely grateful to Larry for his generosity.”

Lycoming Construction Co. helped to build many sections of the Interstate Highway System in Pennsylvania. It also worked on construction of several dams in the mid-Atlantic region in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers, and assisted with projects for the Pennsylvania Railroad, Pennsylvania Power & Light, the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, and other municipal, highway and industrial projects within a 500-mile radius of Williamsport.

Students interested in applying for any of the more than 200 scholarships administered by the Penn College Foundation may complete the online scholarship application.

For more information about making a gift to the Penn College Scholarship Campaign or establishing a scholarship fund to support the college and its students, email or call the Institutional Advancement Office toll-free at 866-GIVE-2-PC (866-448-3272).

For more about the college, which is celebrating its Centennial throughout 2014, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.