New Scholarship at Penn College Honors State Sen. Yaw

Military veterans attending Pennsylvania College of Technology can apply for awards through a new scholarship at the college established in honor of state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-23.

Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour recently established the Senator Gene Yaw Scholarship through the Penn College Foundation. The fund will provide an annual award of $1,000, with preference given to military veterans who reside in the 23rd senatorial district.



If there are no qualified applicants using those criteria, second preference will go to a student in the heavy construction equipment technology-operator emphasis associate-degree major at Penn College who resides in the 23rd senatorial district.

"Gene has served as the college's general counsel for many years and was instrumental in the institution becoming Pennsylvania College of Technology by affiliating with Penn State University in 1989," Gilmour said. "Given his role in the history of Penn College and his service to our nation, I felt it was fitting to establish a scholarship in his name benefiting veterans continuing their education."

"I am humbled by the scholarship that Penn College has established," Yaw said. "As a veteran who attended college after military service, I understand the importance of financial aid. I am honored to present the first award from this scholarship to an individual who has served our country."

Yaw, who serves on the Penn College Board of Directors, was elected to the state Senate in November, succeeding retiring Sen. Roger A. Madigan. Yaw had a lengthy tenure as solicitor for Williamsport Area Community College and the Penn College Board of Directors, and he was instrumental in crafting the legislation that allowed the community college to become a special mission affiliate of Penn State in 1989.

A U.S. Army veteran, Yaw enlisted as a private E-1 and went on to graduate from the U.S. Artillery and Missile Officer Candidate School in Fort Sill, Okla. He served an overseas tour of duty as an artillery officer and was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant.

The initial award from the Senator Gene Yaw Scholarship was presented to Robert M. Dees, of Lewisburg, who is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Dees is a first-year student enrolled in the heavy construction equipment technology-operator emphasis major.

With more than 6,500 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 Penn College, visit online, e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

For more information about supporting Penn College and its students, including options for establishing scholarship funds, visit on the Web, call the Institutional Advancement Office toll-free at 866-GIVE 2 PC, or e-mail.