Community - Colonel Gerald F. Russell Scolarship Fund

The Russell Scholarship Fund was established during 2006 by the Nittany Leathernecks to honor Colonel Gerald F. Russell, USMC (Ret), a patriot, humanitarian and combat veteran of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Korea and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The fund was unveiled at a surprise 90th birthday party put on for Colonel Russell by friends throughout Centre County. Colonel Russell remains a tireless community volunteer leader. He is known throughout Centre County (and beyond) for his various efforts which include the Pennsylvania Special Olympics, Centre County Toys for Tots, United Way Day of Caring, and many other programs that benefit the community.

Having witnessed the tragedy of war first-hand, this fund holds special meaning to Colonel Russell, especially relative to its support of eligible dependents of local Marine Corps League veterans and (most especially) the children of local Armed Forces Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who have died in service to their country, or have been gravely wounded in concert with military engagements taking place since September 11, 2001.

To reiterate, the Russell Scholarship Fund has been set up to provide scholarship grants to the dependents of Nittany Leathernecks members, as well as the sons and/or daughters of any CENTRE COUNTY Pennsylvania veteran (regardless of service branch) who has been killed or significantly wounded in operations associated with the Global War on Terrorism since September 11, 2001. 

The Russell Scholarship Fund is administered through the Centre County Community Foundation, Inc., a non-profit charitable entity composed of over 125 individual funds, all dedicated to improving the quality of life within the community through support of a variety of specific charitable objectives.

Within the Russell Scholarship Fund, individual donors can join the Founders Circle, with a specific minimum contribution. Founders Circle members receive detailed annual fund reports each January. Corporate and Association members also hold a special place of honor within the fund.

• Nittany Leathernecks Russell Scholarship Eligibility  (Available only to our membership)
• Application Form (for those identified by the Detachment as eligible for the Russell Scholarship Fund grant)

If you have questions about this scholarship, please contact Glenn Moyer or Greg Johnson for more information. The Russell Scholarship Fund is administered by a board of trustees composed of the following members:

Russell Scholarship Board of Trustees:
Glenn Moyer (chairman)
Greg Johnson (secretary/treasurer)
Gerald Russell
Martin Kaschalk
Robert Johnson
Lee Shields
Ryan McCombie
Brent Pasquinelli

Russell Scholarship Committee Chairman
Greg Johnson

Founders Circle
Individuals contributing a minimum of $250 will be designated Founder's Circle (FC) members. FC's will receive a detailed annual report and are also noted in the position of honor below.

• Martha Adams, Deborah Baier, Pete Banholzer, Richard & Julia Bartolomea, William & Michele Bartolomea, John & Ellie Beaver, Philip & Kathleen Bosak, Kevin & Suzanne Cheeseborough, Diane Conrad, John & Barbara Coyle, Rich & Janet DiEugenio, Della Durant, Mimi Coppersmith Fredman, Ed & Charlene Friedman, Blake & Linda Gall, Jacob & Kim Graham, Robert & Jerah Griggs, Dan & Suzi Hawbaker, John Infield, Gregory & Madeline Johnson, Robert & Karen Johnson, Martin & Judy Kaschalk, Kevin & Maura Lennon, Michael & Ann Lescanic, Fred & Louise Leoniak, Gerald Lyons, Al & Sharon Matyasovsky, Andrew & Ellen Mazzara, Ryan & Denise McCombie, Dan & Eileen Moser, Glenn & Lois Moyer, Thomas & Deborah Murray, Allen & Kimberly Neely, Brent & Cynthia Pasquinelli, Joseph & Sue Paterno, James Pritzker, James & Barbara Purdum, Chuck Rider, Mark & Pam Righter, Gerald Russell, James & Hope Scannell, Robert Scannell, Robert & Regia Scannell, Tim & Briget Scannell, Lee & Carol Shields, Lance & Ellen Shaner, Lawrence & Molly Snavely, Charles & Donna Snyder, Karl Stoedefalke, Richard & Diana Tilghman, C.J. & Susan Wagner, David & Betsy Will

Corporate Member
Corporate members are noted for contributions totaling $1000 or more. Corporate members can gain incremental "Corporate Battalion" and "Corporate Regimental" award status through contributions totaling $5000 and $10,000 respectively. Russell Scholarship Fund Corporate members include:

• Corporate
  • Deer Country Farm & Lawn, Inc. (Lancaster, PA); Sovereign Bank of State College
• Corporate Regimental
• Corporate Brigade

Association Member
Association members are non-profit fraternal and professional organizations noted for contributions totaling $1000 or more. Association members can gain incremental "Association Platoon" and "Association Battalion" award status through contributions totaling $3000 and $5000 respectively. Russell Scholarship Association members include:

• Association
  • Viet Nam Vets M/C (Central, PA); PA State Corrections Officers Association; Bellefonte, PA Elks (Garver Fund); Nittany Leathernecks
• Association Platoon
• Association Battalion
  • Tussey Mountainback 50-Mile Relay & Ultra Marathon Committee