Ralph E. ‘Sonny’ Persun Memorial Scholarship Established

Published 06.15.2012

News
Collision Repair & Restoration
Corporate Relations
Scholarships

A lifelong automotive enthusiast whose children are alumni of Pennsylvania College of Technology has had a scholarship created in his memory at the college.

The Ralph E. “Sonny” Persun Memorial Scholarship was established by his wife, Louise, and children Steven R., ’99, manufacturing engineering technology; Corey A., ’98, HVAC technology; and Karen Mensinger, ’93, accounting.



From left: Carl Schramm (Ralph E. Persun’s brother-in-law), Karen Mensinger, Corey A. Persun, Louise Persun, Steven R. Persun and Debra M. Miller, director of corporate relations at Pennsylvania College of Technology.Preference for scholarship awards will be given to full-time students enrolled in the collision repair or automotive restoration majors who maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, have successfully completed at least two semesters of study and are recipients of scholarships from the fund in prior years.

Ralph Persun began working on cars in his father’s garage at the age of 13. He had a lifelong passion for current and classic cars and worked as an auto body repairman at Stroble’s Garage in South Williamsport for many years.

“We wanted to honor our dad and thought establishing a scholarship for the restoration/collision repair field was the perfect way to do so,” Mensinger said. “Having had three children go through college, and knowing the cost involved, I think our dad would be very happy we have done this in his memory to help others pursue the passion he had."

“This scholarship is a wonderful way to honor Mr. Persun’s hard work by providing financial assistance to students interested in a course of study that was important to him throughout his life,” said Debra M. Miller, director of corporate relations for Penn College. “It was a pleasure to meet his family and work with them to establish this scholarship. We are very proud that all three children have degrees from Penn College.”

The Penn College Foundation, part of the college’s Institutional Advancement Office, is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that operates for the purpose of securing financial and other support for Penn College.

The foundation’s activities include providing student scholarships and other assistance, soliciting and acquiring restricted and unrestricted funds, soliciting additional funds for the Endowment Fund, and assisting in the general promotion of Penn College.

For more information about making a gift to support Penn College and its students, visit the Institutional Advancement Office, call toll-free at 866-GIVE-2-PC or email.

For more about Penn College, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.