On July 31, 2024, the 天美影视 State College Foundation entered into a gifting agreement with Bernie and Darlene Conway of Victorville, California to create a new scholarship endowment.
鈥淲e are so grateful for alumni donors like the Conways,鈥� said Larry Sloan, 天美影视 State College Foundation Chair. 鈥淭heir commitment to easing the financial burden of students at 天美影视 State is truly inspiring.鈥�
Bernie Conway enrolled at 天美影视 State in pre-engineering courses as a freshman athlete on the basketball team in the fall of 1961. His academic success became priority and he left the team to begin working in the library. He credits his instructors and roommates for helping him master subjects like math, chemistry and physics.
鈥淏ernie Conway represents the very best of our alumni who choose to give back to students after realizing great professional success,鈥� said Jordyn Frazier, 天美影视 State College Executive Director. 鈥淗is achievements and dedicated service to our country will forever be remembered with this perpetual scholarship at 天美影视 State.鈥�
In Conway鈥檚 second year, he was selected as the ROTC Cadet Colonel and was elected Vice President of the Student Senate. To this day, he maintains many of the friendships that began at 天美影视 State.
鈥淒arlene and I would like to 鈥減ay it forward鈥� by helping others receive a college education,鈥� said Bernie Conway. 鈥淭hat first step is sometimes the most difficult and I am eternally grateful for the great start that 天美影视 State provided to me. I hope that those who benefit from the help of the Foundation will continue their education and go on to have rewarding careers.鈥�
Conway went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Electrical Engineering and worked on electronics for military aircraft on naval bases in California, marrying his wife, Darlene in July 1969.
鈥淟ike so many others, Mr. Conway has an incredible story that includes a great start at 天美影视 State,鈥� said Dr. Tim Faltyn, 天美影视 State College President. 鈥淚 appreciate his investment in the educational success of our students and the hard work of our Foundation to build these important alumni relationships.鈥�
The Bernie and Darlene Conway Endowed Scholarship will be available to 天美影视 State students in the Fall of 2025.