PHLF Awarded Scholarships to Four College-Bound Students in a June 2 Reception at Fairmont Pittsburgh

During a reception on June 2 at the Fairmont Pittsburgh, David Brashear, Chair of the Landmarks Scholarship Committee of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF), announced that four high-school graduates from Allegheny County will receive $4,000 college scholarships (payable over four years), for book and tuition expenses only.

Lead sponsors of the event included Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the David and Janet Brashear Foundation, Gailliot Family Foundation, Cohen & Grigsby, Merging Media, and the Dollar Bank Foundation. Proceeds from the Landmarks Scholarship Celebration will benefit the PHLF Landmarks Scholarship Fund that has awarded 56 scholarships to high-achieving students in Allegheny County since 1999.

The four scholarship recipients in 2014 are:

• Andrew D. Hyatt, from Shaler Area High School, who will be attending the Savannah College of Art & Design (Architectural History/Historic Preservation). In his scholarship essay, Andrew wrote about his experience in helping to restore the Isaac Lightner House of 1833 in Glenshaw, located on Mt. Royal Boulevard, close to where he lives. On Saturday, June 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., the owners of the Lightner House will be hosting an Open House for PHLF members and friends. Andrew will be on hand to provide commentary.

[Reservations to attend the Open House are required; space is limited. Please contact marylu@phlf.org; 412-471-5808, ext. 527].

• Jordan R. Maben, from Pittsburgh Brashear, who will be attending Dickinson College (Biology/Health Sciences). Jordan’s scholarship essay about the Warrington Recreation Center described how that “strong solid brick” building in Beltzhoover serves as a positive symbol for the community and helped him establish many of his morals, values, and goals. He hopes that “many more young people will find their passion, their inspiration, their desire to achieve within the walls of the Warrington Recreation Center … ”

• Marissa C. Marks, from Bishop Canevin High School, who will be attending Purdue University (Engineering). Marissa described the “modern inspiration” of Highmark SportsWorks, designed by Renaissance 3 Architects, at the Carnegie Science Center on Pittsburgh’s North Side. She has volunteered there every summer since 2010. The transparent and green design of the building inspired her design of several projects that she created through the ACE (Architecture Construction Engineering) Mentor Program.

• Natalie M. Morrissey, from North Allegheny Senior High School, who will be attending Penn State University (Chemical Engineering). An accomplished flutist, Natalie described her first concert in Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Even though she has performed on many stages since that freshman-year experience, Natalie realizes that Carnegie Music Hall is “home to the concerts that have shaped” who she is as a musician.

 Gifts in 2014 Make Larger Scholarships Possible

Lead contributions from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, The David and Janet Brashear Family Foundation, Gailliot Family Foundation, Cohen & Grigsby, Merging Media, and the Dollar Bank Foundation helped underwrite the June 2 Scholarship Celebration and will make it possible for PHLF to increase its scholarship award in 2015 to $6,000 (payable over four years).

“Since 1999 we have awarded scholarships to a remarkable group of high-achieving young people,” said Mr. Brashear. “Each recipient cares about Pittsburgh and is likely to stay connected to the city and region, we believe, no matter where he/she lives or works. Since applicants are asked to write about a place in Allegheny County that is important to them and that has affected them personally, we are connecting with the next generation of future leaders who share our values and realize that place matters.”

“Sixty-four people applied to PHLF’s Scholarship Program this year and so many of the applicants were deserving of the scholarship award,” said Louise Sturgess, Executive Director of PHLF. “Many of the essays were inspiring and so many of the students have made outstanding contributions to their communities,” she added. Applicants wrote about Freedom Corner, the Cathedral of Learning, Kennywood, Station Square, the Strip District, Manchester Craftsman Guild, Benedum Center,

Burtner House, Rachel Carson Homestead, Depreciation Lands Museum, North Park, Boyce Mayview Wetlands, Gus and Yia Yia’s in Allegheny Commons, and Carrie Furnaces, among many other places.

“Our goal is to increase our Scholarship Fund through contributions from others so we can award more scholarships and increase the scholarship amount,” said Mr. Brashear.

To contribute, visit: www.phlf.org or contact Mary Lu Denny at PHLF (marylu@phlf.org; 412-471-5808, ext. 527).

The Landmarks Scholarship Program is the culmination of PHLF’s educational programs for thousands of students (pre K-12) and the beginning of its programs for adults. It gives Allegheny County students an incentive to excel in school, become involved in their communities, and express their commitment to this region in a meaningful way.

The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Scholarship Program is offered each year. Applications for the 2015-16 school year will be available in January 2015. Applicants must:

• live in Allegheny County;
• be a high school senior who has been accepted to a college or university;
• have a cumulative GPA at the end of the first semester senior year of 3.25 or greater;

• have a significant interest in local history, architecture, and/or landscape design; and

• write an essay describing a place in Allegheny County that is important to them; complete an application; and submit two letters of recommendation (one must be from a community representative).