ALTOONA, Pa. -- Penn State Altoona and members of the greater Altoona community honored Steve and Nancy Sheetz for their enduring leadership, service and philanthropy with the creation of a Renaissance Scholarship in their name during a special event at the Blair County Convention Center on April 24.
Nearly 430 guests attended the event, which raised more than $615,000 for the newly endowed scholarship through sponsorships and gifts. The total is one of the highest in the history of the Renaissance Dinner program.
Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz Inc. operates more than 489 convenience stores throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina.
The Steve and Nancy Sheetz Renaissance Scholarship will benefit 20 academically talented students with the greatest financial need, regardless of academic major or other criteria, in perpetuity. Every student who applies for financial aid at Penn State is automatically considered for a Renaissance Scholarship. Renaissance Fund Scholars receive an annual award of $1,500 for up to four years if they maintain a 3.0 grade point average and demonstrate financial need.
“Steve and Nancy’s continued philanthropic support of Penn State Altoona demonstrates uncommon devotion to our college, students, and community,” said Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, chancellor and dean of Penn State Altoona. “They have enriched the academic culture at our college and provided opportunities to hundreds of students who otherwise may not have been able to benefit from higher education. Steve and Nancy care deeply about our students and our community, and they enjoy supporting both through the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence and their investment in our downtown campus. They are improving not only our college, but also our city and the entire region.”
Prior to presenting the Renaissance Award to the couple, Penn State president Eric J. Barron said, “Steve and Nancy have long been devoted Penn Staters, and their efforts on behalf of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends have known no bounds. It is wonderful that the Steve and Nancy Sheetz Renaissance Scholarship will allow us to continue our heritage of providing access to education for academically strong students who demonstrate the highest need.”
In addition to Bechtel-Wherry and Barron, speakers included Steve and Nancy’s two daughters, grandchildren and extended members of their family. Loretta Zeth, president of Sheetz Fellows and a student who has been mentored by Steve Sheetz during the past year, offered remarks on behalf of Penn State students. The event also included corporate and family video tributes.
After Steve and Nancy Sheetz accepted the Renaissance Award, Steve said, “This is truly an honor, and the students are what this is all about. We agreed to the dinner because we know all the money will go to students in need. We believe education at Penn State Altoona is a great value, and we are indeed glad to help students achieve their dreams.”
The Renaissance Fund, one of Penn State’s most important student aid programs, was created in 1969 by five Penn State Trustees--Jesse Arnelle, Michael Baker Jr., Frederick J. “Fritz” Close II, Ralph Dorn Hetzel Jr., and Helen Dickerson Wise. They chose the name “Renaissance Fund” to reflect the rebirth of the land-grant ideal: “To provide instruction for those American citizens who previously could not afford higher education.”
Penn State Altoona’s first Renaissance Fund Dinner was in 2005 when William J. Rossman was honored with the creation of a Renaissance Scholarship in his name. The Renaissance Fund Dinner in honor of Steve and Nancy Sheetz was only the second hosted by Penn State Altoona, emblematic of the exclusive nature of this very special recognition. Nancy and Donald Devorris, Penn State Altoona benefactors and friends of Steve and Nancy, served as co-chairs of both Renaissance dinners.
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