$100K Endowed Scholarship Established at Penn College for Automotive and Construction Students

Pennsylvania College of Technology Receives $2 Million Gift and $100,000 Scholarship Endowment

Pennsylvania College of Technology secured a $2 million contribution from the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation, marking the largest one-time cash gift in the college’s history. The donation arrives alongside a separate $100,000 endowed scholarship fund established by Williamsport resident Bill Alsted through the Penn College Foundation.

The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation Matching Contribution

The $2 million contribution from the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation is paired with a matching $2 million gift from the Penn College Foundation to establish the Brook J. Lenfest Endowed Scholarship Fund. Brook J. Lenfest, the foundation’s founder and the chairman of NetCarrier Inc., visited the campus to announce the funding.

The initiative supports three distinct areas:
* Scholarships for incoming students graduating from the Mastery Charter School system in Philadelphia.
* Granting Emergency Scholarship funds to currently enrolled students who encounter unforeseen financial hurdles that put their continued studies at risk.
* Backing Gap Scholarships for ambitious, worthy prospective students who need that final layer of financial aid to secure their entry into Penn College.

“What I noticed very quickly is that while a great education can be an equalizer in this country, the quality of the education many have access to is anything but equal,” Lenfest said. “I have tried to put a small dent in leveling the playing field for those motivated to improve their lives through hard work, determination and the pursuit of a great education.”

Almost $900,000 in scholarship aid has been delivered to Penn College pupils originating from southeastern Pennsylvania thanks to a 2021 contribution from the Lenfest Foundation.

H. William Alsted Endowed Scholarship Criteria

Alongside the Lenfest gift, Bill Alsted established the H. William Alsted Endowed Scholarship Fund with a $100,000 commitment. One $5,000 award has been distributed for the 2026-27 academic year.

Full-time pupils qualify for scholarship consideration provided they are pursuing an associate degree in automotive technology or collision repair technology and plan to earn an added certificate in automotive restoration. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in construction management are also eligible.

Priority consideration will be extended to individuals originating from Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga or Union counties. Scholarship disbursements can be renewed annually if recipients maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

“The rewards of a Penn College degree are well known. By establishing this scholarship, Beverley and I hope more students will have access to that education every year,” Alsted said, referencing his partner, Beverley Porter.

Institutional Impact and Career Placement Rates

Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education, reporting strong employment outcomes across its specialized degree programs. Across its construction management bachelor’s degree curriculum, Penn College achieves a 100% overall placement rate, with 84% of participants securing employment prior to graduation. Potential careers include project manager, construction manager and estimator.

Meanwhile, graduates from the automotive restoration certificate and associate degree tracks frequently transition into specialized careers with custom fabrication shops, automotive museums, and automotive auction houses.

“Financial barriers often stand between potential and possibility. Through Brook’s generosity, those barriers are being removed,” said Michael J. Reed, president of Pennsylvania College of Technology.