ALTOONA, Pa. — Penn State alumni Larry Skvir and Connie Whiteleather Skvir, of New Jersey, have made a gift commitment of $50,000 to endow the Larry M. and Connie Whiteleather Skvir Family Scholarship at Penn State Altoona. The fund will provide financial support to students in the Elementary and Early Childhood Education program.
The couple first established the scholarship as an annually funded award in March 2024 after seeing how much their youngest son appreciated scholarships he received as an undergraduate student at Rutgers University.
“We made the decision to endow the scholarship in perpetuity because we wanted students to continue to benefit from it in the future,” said Larry. “When Connie and I were students at Penn State in the late 1960s, I believe tuition was $32 per credit. What we paid for tuition back then wouldn’t even pay for instruction materials today.”
Larry began taking classes at what was then known as the Altoona Campus in the summer of 1965, before his senior year at Williamsburg High School. He continued to take courses during that year, and when he graduated, he had 21 college credits. He attended Altoona Campus from 1966 to 1967.
“During my first semester, my one-credit physical education class consisted of clearing brush on the current site of the athletic fields,” he recalled.
Larry graduated from University Park in 1970 with a degree in economics.
“My favorite instructor during my time in college was Jack Larner, who taught History 21 at Altoona in the summer of 1965,” he said. “On our visits back to Altoona after graduation, he and I would sit in his garage and have a beer together. He was a dear friend and an outstanding teacher.”
In 2013, Larry retired from a career in banking after 43 years.
Connie began at the Altoona Campus in 1966. During her time there, she worked at the campus library.
She graduated magna cum laude from University Park in 1970 with a degree in elementary and kindergarten education. She also won the President’s Book Award and the Spark’s Medal for outstanding scholarship. She was honored during her commencement ceremony as the student marshal for the College of Education.
After a 28-year teaching career, she retired in 2014.
The couple has kept their connection to University Park and Penn State Altoona through giving to both campuses, THON and the Penn State Alumni Association Southern New Jersey Chapter.
The impact of the Skvirs’ philanthropic vision will not only leave a legacy at Penn State Altoona but also extend into classrooms beyond it.
“This endowment allows future educators to take the knowledge, skills, and values gained at Penn State Altoona into classrooms across the nation,” said Ron Darbeau, Penn State Altoona chancellor and dean. “Through this investment in aspiring teachers and nation-builders, countless young lives will be enriched.”
Darbeau also noted that the scholarship provides meaningful financial assistance while recognizing the Skvirs’ passion, talent and dedication to the teaching profession.
David Pearlman, director of Financial Aid at Penn State Altoona, expressed gratitude to Larry and Connie for exploring a way to ensure their scholarship exists in perpetuity.
“Because of their thoughtful investment, generations of Penn State Altoona students will benefit from the support and encouragement made possible through this endowed scholarship,” said Pearlman. “Their vision and commitment to education will continue to unlock opportunities for students year after year.”
The Skvirs said they believe in the idea of paying it forward.
“We hope the scholarship will give recipients the benefit of a Penn State education that opened doors for us and prepared us for successful careers in our respective fields,” Connie said.
Donors like the Skvirs advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.