Richard D. Koontz Memorial Endowed Scholarship

The Richard D. Koontz Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established in memory of Richard D. Koontz who made a career in the Navy as an electronics instructor and continued to teach at the United States Navy Electronics School in Great Lakes, Illinois in his retirement. He was the electronics instructor at PENTA County Joint Vocational School (JVS) for the junior class and he was known for pushing his students to give their best. He would go the extra mile for his students, especially those on the margins and helped them to be successful in achieving their goals. His students include successful technicians, sailors, entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, and even a medical doctor. The Richard D. Koontz Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established to carry on his spirit of encouragement by helping students and members of the community to achieve their career goals. The criteria for selecting scholarship recipients are intended to capture the essence of both the care for his students and the drive to push them to be successful.

This award will be split between Fall and Spring Semesters. The recipient must be enrolled in qualified degrees, programs, or certificates within the School of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) or must be enrolled in degrees or programs (excluding certificates) in the School of Nursing and Health Professions (SNHP).
School of STEM qualified degrees, programs and certificates include:
Alternative Energy – Photovoltaic Technology, Applied Engineering Technology, CAD Technology, Biomedical Electronics Major, CISCO Academy Certificate, Computer Programming Technology, Computer Science Major, Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology, Information Systems Technology, Network Administration Certificate, Networking and Information Systems Support, Wide-Area Networking Technology, Biology Concentration, Chemistry Concentration, Engineering Concentration, and Mathematics Concentration.

Preference will be given to students enrolled in the School of STEM qualified degree, programs, or certificates. Preference will be given to graduates of PENTA Career Center. The recipient must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters and maintain at least a 3.5 CGPA. Preference will be given to a recipient who demonstrates financial need through the appropriate forms as administered and recommended by the Owens Financial Aid Office. Scholarship is renewable if criteria continues to be met and the recipient maintains a 3.5 or better CGPA.