Volunteer Faculty, Staff, Students Establish Motorcycle-Ride Scholarship

A scholarship fund for students in any major has been established at Pennsylvania College of Technology by the volunteer faculty, staff and students who coordinate the Scholarship Ride, an annual event open to all motorcycle enthusiasts.

The Penn College Motorcycle Ride Scholarship Fund is the net result of the $4,266 raised in this year's ride to establish an endowed account. Distribution of the scholarships will begin in the fall of 2001. The number of scholarship awards will be determined later. To be eligible for the scholarships, a student must have a "B" average or better and be eligible for financial aid.

The Second Annual Scholarship Ride was held May 7. The $15 entrance fee for the 86-mile event included a picnic lunch. Prizes were awarded to riders, who were judged in bike categories that included "Rat,""Antique/Classic," "Street Cruiser," "Sportster" and "Touring." The band "Brothers & Others" provided entertainment.

Coordinators and co-chairmen for the ride were David A. Probst, instructor of drafting and Computer Assisted Drafting Technology, and Larry L. Michael, associate dean for the Technology Transfer Center at Penn College.

"What better way to spend a good time together than enjoying a ride through the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside and knowing you're helping students achieve their goals of higher education," Probst said.

The committee of faculty, staff and student volunteers who coordinated the ride was pleasantly surprised when 266 riders entered this year's event, exceeding the goal of 200.

"We never anticipated this many in our second year of holding this event," Probst said. "We knew this was going to grow and become a yearly tradition at the College, but we were so surprised at the numbers in our second year."

"The hard work by over 39 dedicated volunteers and the donations by 43 different businesses and individuals really made this a success," added Michael.

Dennis L. Correll, associate dean for institutional advancement, said of the effort: "The volunteer faculty and staff are committed to building an endowed scholarship fund that will provide a substantial level of scholarships on an annual basis. The scholarship ride is one of the largest staff and faculty volunteer fund-raising events so far this year, and we are proud to be the recipients of their hard work and generosity."

Riders interested in next year's event may contact Probst.