Ciana Dale (third from right) standing with members of the Penn State Brandywine Advisory Board, who awarded her with a scholarship.
MEDIA, Pa. — Penn State Brandywine held its annual Donor Scholars Celebration on Nov. 23 to honor student scholarship recipients and recognize the alumni and friends of Brandywine who have established scholarships for the campus. The event allowed each to meet and students the chance to thank the donors for their generous contributions to their college experience.
At the celebration, Regional Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells welcomed guests virtually. Patton Vo, director of campus development; Tracy Riegel, Penn State Brandywine Advisory Board and Penn State Board of Trustees member; Michael Gambol, Penn State Brandywine Advisory Board president; Shannon Matthews, Penn State Brandywine Alumni Society member; and Khaleelah Hamm, fourth-year psychology major and recipient of the Thomas E. Hare, III Memorial Award, made remarks.
“Today is one of my favorite days of the year, where we gather to recognize our donors and celebrate our scholars,” said Wells. “Our students tell our story. You are the reason — donors, scholars, family and friends — we celebrate today and the seeds you are sowing.”
In her speech, Hamm, who serves as president of the Black Student Union, shared how her scholarship helped her excel in her college career, citing her academics, campus involvement and creating a work, school and life balance.
“Beyond academics and leadership, this scholarship has also given me something just as valuable: balance. In the past, I spent so much of my time working to cover expenses that I often missed out on experiences that make college so special,” said Hamm.
“Thanks to your generosity, I’ve been able to spend more time with friends, participate in campus events, and simply enjoy the journey of being a student. These moments are priceless, and they’ve given me memories that I’ll carry with me forever.”
The event also showcased a video featuring donors who shared why they give to Penn State Brandywine and scholarship recipients who said how scholarships have helped them in their academic journeys.
“Establishing a scholarship was really important for me and my family because I think education is something that can never be taken away from anyone,” Riegel said in the Donor Scholars Celebration video.
“My husband and I were very fortunate, as were our three daughters, to be able to have our parents pay for our college education, and that was a real gift. We wanted to share that with the students who may have financial need but desire a very excellent education at Penn State.”
Penn State Brandywine offers numerous scholarships and awards. During the 2024-25 academic year, 83 scholarships were awarded to 158 students. Scholarships differ in a variety of ways. Some scholarships are interest-specific while other scholarships may favor a nontraditional student. All scholarships, however, reward academic excellence and most require a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
For more information about scholarships at Brandywine, including giving opportunities, visit the Penn State Brandywine Office of Development website or call 610-892-1253.
