Saint Francis University to match 11th ACVVC Scholarships
The following announcement originally appeared in the membership newsletter of the 11th Armored Calvary’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. SFU is proud to partner with the organization on this new matching scholarship initiative.
The author, Blandin ‘Bill’ Karabinos, is an SFU 1960 alumnus with a degree in philosophy. You can read his inspiring story here.
Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania has a nationally known and stellar reputation as a “military friendly” school. That reputation could easily date back to the 1860s, over 160 years ago, when a terrible civil war divided our nation. St. Francis was established in 1848, and the school’s students and graduates have served in every American war since. A significant number have even sacrificed their lives for their country.
In the Vietnam War alone, 225 SFU graduates and students left the comfort of the Allegheny Highlands to serve in the sweltering heat and fiery crucible of the tropical climate of Southeast Asia. Among those men, three Marine Corps lieutenant/pilots were killed in that cause. Their names are engraved in our on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
This agreement, to match any scholarship awarded to the children or grandchildren of the members of the 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia who attend SFU, salutes the valor of those three warriors as well as the other 222 graduates of the university.
“It is therefore agreed upon that St. Francis University will match either the $3,000.00 or $5,000.00 scholarships awarded by the 11th ACVVC to the sons or daughters, the grandsons or granddaughters of the 11th ACVVC members, deceased members or to the children or grandchildren of our KIAs, who are, or will enroll at the University.”
This agreement is in effect beginning with the Fall Semester of 2023 and signed by University President, Very Reverend Malachi Van Tassel, T.O.R., Ph.D.
This is only the first of, hopefully many colleges and universities, we want to sign up for matching scholarships....We have a template in place at St. Francis University, we wish to expand this program nationwide.
Troopers of the 11th ACVVC can be of great assistance in expanding this program, especially if you have a contact within the faculty of a local college or university. We have a template in place at St. Francis University, we wish to expand this program nationwide. There are 583 colleges and universities listed in the United States, it would so benefit the progeny of our membership to see our program doubled with matching funds. If you have a contact, please contact Mike “Doc” Rafferty, Scholarship Chairman, or any member of the Board of Directors for follow-up and for forging an agreement program.
Bill Karabinos, 11th ACVVC Chaplain
Mike Rafferty, 11th ACVVC Scholarship Chairman
How to Apply
Any prospective Saint Francis University student who is interested in applying for this scholarship can find details about the application process on the 11th ACVVC website.