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Eberly College of Science...making a difference

CONTACT US:
Office of Alumni Relations and Development
Eberly College of Science
The Pennsylvania State University
430 Joab L. Thomas Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 1-800-297-1429  or
(814) 863-8454
Fax: (814) 863-5354

University Park, Pa.-Timothy F. and Theresa Marano Merkel of Winchester, Va., have given $100,000 to create the Marano-Merkel Family Trustee Matching Scholarship in Penn State's College of Education and the Eberly College of Science. First preference for the scholarships will be given equally to students majoring in English and communications, and chemistry.

The scholarship is named in honor of the couple's parents, Anna and Vincent Marano and Anna and Raymond Merkel.

Timothy Merkel earned a B.S. in chemistry and biology from Lycoming College in 1964, and an M.S. in organic chemistry from Penn State in 1966. He received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1973. Most recently he was director of technology and research and development for Federal-Mogul, a global supplier of automotive components, systems and modules. Since retiring, he started his own consulting business specializing in advanced engineered composites for the automotive and aerospace industries.

Theresa Merkel earned a B.S. in mathematics, English and French from Lock Haven University, and an M.S. in higher education counseling from West Chester University. In 1994, she was certified as a mediator by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Subsequently, she co-founded and owns the Mediation Center of Winchester, and for twelve years has been the senior certified mediator, mentor and principal. Her mediation skills are used in both private practice and in the Virginia courts. She also has served on the board of directors of the Lock Haven University Alumni Association, and as past state president of the American Association of University Women of Virginia.

Theresa's sister, Sister Paula Marie (Veronica Marano), graduated from Penn State's College of Education in 1967 and works with Mother Theresa's Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India.

The Trustee Matching Scholarship program is an ongoing initiative to raise $100 million in private support across the University for new scholarships to help undergraduates who have great financial need. To underscore its commitment to this effort, Penn State's Board of Trustees agreed to match 5 percent of each gift with University funds, and to make these matching funds available to assist students as soon as the donor completes scholarship pledge forms and guidelines. These matching funds will continue in perpetuity in combination with income from the endowment. Trustee Matching Scholarships require a minimum endowment of $50,000.