Effort Launched to Support Tracy A. Garis Memorial Scholarship

Pennsylvania College of Technology's Student Government Association is leading an effort to establish a scholarship fund in memory of a student who died in a traffic accident earlier this year.

Gregory J. Miller, vice president of internal relations for SGA, has initiated the drive to start the Tracy A. Garis Memorial Scholarship.

"It really hit me when I found out about Tracy's passing," Miller said. "It felt right for me to take the initiative to coordinate the creation of the scholarship fund to help remember Tracy for who she was as a Penn College student."

Miller said the fundraising goal is $25,000 enough to permanently endow the scholarship fund.

"With support of the Penn College student body, as well as the surrounding Williamsport and Lehigh Valley areas, we will give our greatest attempt to reach our goal of keeping Tracy's name permanent within the Penn College community," he said.

Garis, a dental hygiene major, Resident Assistant and Student Ambassador from Hellertown, was killed in a crash on Interstate 80 in Luzerne County on June 4.

The scholarship established in her memory will give first preference for awards to a full-time student in one of Penn College's bachelor's or associate degrees in dental hygiene who is an active student leader on campus.

SGA President Adam J. Yoder said Miller brought the idea of a memorial scholarship to him over the summer.

"I was encouraged that a fellow SGA executive board member came up with this idea and was willing to take the initiative to get the scholarship rolling," Yoder said. "Greg is a great example of the excellent students we have at Penn College, and it is a pleasure to serve with him on the SGA Executive Board."

"Currently, SGA is collaborating with various student organizations, offices and students across campus, as well as reaching out into the community, for support in these efforts," Yoder added. He noted SGA is planning several fundraisers, including the fourth annual Homecoming Car Show on Oct. 9, which will allocate all registration fees for the scholarship fund.

The Penn College Institutional Advancement Office is accepting donations to the Tracy A. Garis Memorial Scholarship fund by mail at One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA, 17701-5799 or online .

Penn College is a special mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University, committed to applied technology education. With more than 6,400 students enrolled in bachelor-degree, associate-degree and certificate majors, Penn College has the second-largest enrollment in the Penn State system.

For more information about any of the college's more than 100 fields of study, visit on the Web , e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

For more information about establishing a scholarship fund or other ways of making a gift to support Penn College and its students, visit online , call the Institutional Advancement Office toll-free at 866-GIVE-2-PC or e-mail .