CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — For several engineering students, the path to a Penn State degree just became more affordable. Global technology company Broadcom awarded Penn State Lehigh Valley students Sarah Lynn Azar, Julian Diaz and Jacob Rice a $5,000 scholarship toward tuition for the 2026-27 academic year.
“We are pleased to award the Broadcom Scholarship to three talented Penn State Lehigh Valley students this year,” said Doug Dopp, senior director of manufacturing at Broadcom.
Broadcom Inc. is a multinational leader in semiconductor manufacturing with more than 50 operating locations worldwide. With a presence in the Lehigh Valley dating back to the 1980s, Dopp attributes the organization’s long-standing success to its commitment to cultivating engineering talent in the region.
The company's outreach extends beyond financial assistance to student leadership development as a means to foster the next generation of engineers and computer scientists, Dopp said.
“In addition to scholarships, we offer recipients the opportunity for ongoing mentorship as they pursue their degrees at Penn State,” Dopp added.
Second-year mechanical engineering student Sarah Lynn Azar said this scholarship reflects her academic dedication.
“I was so excited when I found out I got the scholarship,” said Azar,” It made me really proud to know that my hard work is paying off.”
Second-year electrical engineering major Jacob Rice also expressed gratitude for the award.
“I am very thankful to Broadcom for the scholarship and the opportunity to connect with them,” he said, “I am going to do my very best to make the most out of it.”
Engineering student Julian Diaz said he looks forward to continuing his academic journey as he enters his third year of study.
“I’m excited and thankful to have been selected as a Broadcom scholarship recipient,” Diaz said. “It means a lot to be recognized and supported as I continue working toward my engineering degree at Penn State Lehigh Valley.”
Tracey Carbonetto, associate teaching professor, program coordinator of the new B.S. (bachelor of science) Engineering degree program at Lehigh Valley, said this year’s recipients are a testament to how the Lehigh Valley campus serves and promotes engineering success.
“Broadcom’s support and confidence in our preparation of modern engineering graduates is inspirational and motivates us in striving for excellence.”
Support from donors like Broadcom Inc. helps advance the University’s land-grant mission of service and leadership. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends empower students to become part of the Penn State community and prepare for lifelong success. Their generosity also fuels research, outreach, and economic development — strengthening communities and expanding the University’s impact across the commonwealth and around the globe. Learn more at raise.psu.edu.