Bristol-Myers Squibb Scholarship to Assist Aviation Students

Pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb has established a scholarship fund at Pennsylvania College of Technology to support students in the college's aviation maintenance technology bachelor-degree major.

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Scholarship Fund will make annual awards of $2,500 each to two students. The recipients will be chosen from among applicants who are enrolled as full-time students in the third year of the aviation maintenance technology degree with a minimum grade-point average of 2.5.

Christopher J. Burns, director of maintenance for Bristol-Myers Squibb's aviation department in West Trenton, N.J., and a member of the Aviation Technology Program Advisory Committee at Penn College, was instrumental in establishing the fund.

Burns said the scholarship fund is a way for his company to contribute to Penn College and assist students who have a direct connection with his role at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

"It is of the greatest satisfaction for a company like Bristol-Myers Squibb to be able to give back to the community in a special way," Burns said. "It is our hope that this scholarship will give hope and inspiration to someone who, in turn, will someday help others along the same path. That's how it works!"

Burns noted that he began to investigate ways of supporting the college after receiving a Penn College Annual Fund appeal letter last fall.

"I'm very happy that an appeal for an annual gift has resulted in a new scholarship fund," said James F. Finkler, annual giving officer at Penn College. "Bristol Myers-Squibb was already helping our students by allowing Mr. Burns to provide his valuable time and expertise serving on the program advisory committee, and now the company will be helping Penn College students overcome financial challenges, as well. We welcome their support as we work together to help students succeed."

Bristol-Myers Squibb manufactures prescription pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter drugs and health-care products. It was No. 129 on the 2007 Fortune 500 list, with worldwide sales of $17.9 billion.

Penn College is a special mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University, committed to applied technology education. With more than 6,500 students enrolled in bachelor-degree, associate-degree and certificate majors, Penn College has the second-highest enrollment in the Penn State system.

For more information about the college, visit online , e-mail or call toll-free (800) 367-9222.

For more information about making a donation or establishing a scholarship fund to support Penn College and its students, visit on the Web , call the Institutional Advancement Office toll-free at (866) GIVE 2 PC, or e-mail .