11-12-03
DAUBENSPECKS CREATE TRUSTEE
SCHOLARSHIP AT PENN STATE BEHREND
Students in the plastics engineering technology program at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will reap benefits from the newly created David G. and Bonney C. Daubenspeck Trustee Scholarship. The scholarship, created to assist undergraduate students with financial need enrolled in the plastics engineering technology program, grew from David G. "Grant" Daubenspeck's first-hand experience as an adult student.
"When I tell folks I am attending Penn State Behrend, they wonder why a dentist would be interested in plastics," said Daubenspeck, who returned to higher education three years ago to learn about a material that played an important role in his 32-year dental career. "The truth of the matter is that dentists use plastics in their offices every day for items such as invisible braces, splints, retainers, mouthguards, dentures, and tooth-colored fillings. Although dentists are trained in the use of plastics, they rely primarily on manufacturers and dental suppliers for their information." Daubenspeck's goal, he said, is to learn about plastics first-hand, so that so he can work to improve some of the shortcomings of the dental plastics currently in use.
Daubenspeck served in the Dental Corps of the United States Naval Reserve until 1997 and retired in 1999 from Orthodontic Associates of Erie. His wife, Bonney, worked in the trucking industry at Lyons Transportation Company and served on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for several years under the Ridge administration. The Daubenspecks are also avid orchid growers and volunteers in the botanical garden at the Erie Zoo
"What I'm pleased to see at Penn State Behrend," he said, "is a plastics engineering technology program dedicated to improving and expanding the use of plastics in all aspects of life."
"The Daubenspecks' endowed trustee scholarship gift is a generous and insightful way to demonstrate their confidence in education at Penn State Behrend," said Dr. Jack Burke, campus executive officer and dean. "I am grateful for their support of our students and their enthusiasm for continued learning."
Because the Daubenspecks' gift falls within the guidelines of Penn State's Trustee Scholarship Program, the University will add 5 percent of the initial gift to the annual scholarship awards given to students each year. This University matching contribution will continue in perpetuity.
During the past academic year, Penn State Behrend presented more than $540,000 in scholarships from its endowed scholarship funds. Since 1996 the number of endowed funds has grown from fifty-eight to 113, and the college's endowment has grown from $5.3 million to $34 million.
To learn more about scholarship giving, contact the Office of Development at 814-898-6159. To learn more about financial aid for Penn State Behrend students, contact the Financial Aid office at 814-898-6162.
Contact:
Loretta Brandon
814-898-6063 (O)
E-mail: lzb6@psu.edu