LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus hosted the 15th annual Scholarship Donor Dinner to honor student recipients of philanthropy-funded scholarships and awards on Nov. 12.

Skylar Wilson, a third-year psychology student from Dunbar, Pennsylvania, addressed the audience on behalf of the evening’s scholarship recipients. Wilson, a former dual-enrollment student admitted to the University at age 17, has served as president of the Lion Ambassadors, danced in THON, and contributed actively to the Student Government Association.

“This is my third year attending this event, and I am beyond grateful to express how much these scholarships mean to me as a Penn Stater,” Wilson said to an audience of faculty, staff, students and donors gathered in the Community Center. “Most importantly, I want to thank the individuals who have graciously supported me. As a first-generation college student, neither my parents nor I knew what to expect when I began courses during my senior year of high school.

“Your contributions help students like me have peace of mind when working effortlessly towards academic goals, and ensures a little more financial security, especially for those who fought tooth and nail to be here," Wilson added. "You are changing lives, and we cannot thank you enough for believing in us and taking upon a role that will most certainly positively impact our futures."

Paula Congelio, the vice president of finance and chief financial officer at West Virginia University, spoke on behalf of the evening’s donors. Congelio graduated from Penn State with a bachelor of science in accounting and later served as the director of Business Services at the Fayette campus from 2005 to 2012.

“Before my senior year, my father passed away. In the turmoil, my financial aid became messed up,” Congelio said. “I had a large, unpaid balance on my account and my work study was not approved. I set out to the bursar’s office and assumed I would need to apply for a loan, but when I got there, they had told me my account had been paid in full and I had received a refund that would somewhat offset the work study income I would be missing. I never found who did that for me. All I knew was the complete relief of knowing that I could finish my degree."

Congelio, and her husband, established a scholarship in memory of her sister, who passed away from breast cancer.

“I saw how families struggled with tuition just as mine did,” Congelio continued. “We started an award memory of my older sister. When I met the recipients, they were able to thank me directly for our gift. After that experience, you learn that when you give, you receive so much in return.

“So, a couple of years later, we established a scholarship account and then later an estate gift. Many of us in this room have been generous to the University, and I know that we all share in the joy of witnessing the gratitude of the students here tonight. I’m guessing that gratitude will lead them to give back someday when they have the ability.”

Gifts to scholarships advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.