Mardi Gras Event Adds to Scholarship Fund at Penn College

A contest to select this year's Mardi Gras King and Queen in Williamsport has resulted in a big boost for a scholarship fund at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Mike Morgan, a former Penn College student, won the Mardi Gras King/Queen contest in March as the nominee for Franco's Lounge. The contest involved voting for nominees from various restaurants and taverns in Williamsport with donations to support each business's charitable cause of choice.

Maria Daniele and her brother Fred, owners of Franco's Lounge, have presented a check for the funds raised at their business $7,500 to Penn College, to be added to the Daniele Family Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship fund, established in 2009 by Fred and Maria Daniele; their brother Francis; and their parents, Franco and Joanna Daniele, will provide awards to students from Lycoming and surrounding counties enrolled in Penn College's School of Hospitality. The fund currently holds more than $19,000 and will begin generating scholarship awards when the balance reaches $25,000.

First preference for the awards from the Daniele Family Scholarship Fund will be for full-time students who have completed at least two semesters in Penn College's associate-degree majors in culinary arts technology or baking and pastry arts, and who have a home residence in Lycoming, Bradford, Clinton, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga or Union counties. Secondary preference goes to students in the college's hospitality management associate-degree major.

The nominee from Franco's Lounge also won the 2010 Mardi Gras King/Queen contest, and that outgoing queen, Danielle Dominick, awarded the 2011 trophy to her co-worker and employers.

In addition to Franco's Lounge, the Daniele family owns and operates Joanna's Italian Bakery and Specialties in Williamsport.

Penn College is a special mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University, committed to applied technology education. Nearly 6,300 students are enrolled in bachelor-degree, associate-degree and certificate majors relating to more than 100 career areas.

Along with the associate degrees in culinary arts technology, baking and pastry arts, and hospitality management, Penn College's School of Hospitality offers a bachelor's degree in culinary arts and systems, as well as competency credentials in professional baking, professional cooking and dining room service.

For more information about Pennsylvania College of Technology, visit online , email 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 email .