Featured Donor
Joseph (left) and Ramona (right) attending the President's Scholarship Gala
Joseph & Ramona Marks
"We are both very comfortable here. The town has become our home.” That was the response Joe Marks gave when asked why he and his wife Ramona decided to start a scholarship at Slippery Rock University. The Marks recently established the Marks Secondary Education Teaching Scholarship which will assist students to become certified to teach math at the secondary level.
Joe Marks taught and served at SRU for over 30 years until his retirement in 1991 and Ramona was a nurse at SRU’s infirmary when it was in North Hall. They’ve seen many changes over the years. Joe was registrar at the University in the early 1970s when online student registration was started. According to the Spring 2011 Rock Magazine, there were six registration terminals on campus at the time which, “were connected by a single telephone wire to the mainframe computer."
"We are both very comfortable here. The town has become our home.” That was the response Joe Marks gave when asked why he and his wife Ramona decided to start a scholarship at Slippery Rock University. The Marks recently established the Marks Secondary Education Teaching Scholarship which will assist students to become certified to teach math at the secondary level.
Joe Marks taught and served at SRU for over 30 years until his retirement in 1991 and Ramona was a nurse at SRU’s infirmary when it was in North Hall. They’ve seen many changes over the years. Joe was registrar at the University in the early 1970s when online student registration was started. According to the Spring 2011 Rock Magazine, there were six registration terminals on campus at the time which, “were connected by a single telephone wire to the mainframe computer."
Featured Scholarships
Michael J. Estocin's Navy portrait
Michael J. Estocin Memorial Scholarship
Michael Estocin was one of only a few Navy pilots trained and qualified to counter North Vietnam’s surface-to-air missile (SAM) defenses. During the Vietnam War, he led several air strikes against targets in Vietnam until, on one mission, his aircraft was damaged by a missile and disappeared in April 1977. Lieutenant Commander Estocin was promoted to commander and then Captain before his status was changed to “killed in action” on November 10, 1977.
He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. The Navy has further recognized and honored Mike Estocin by naming an Oliver Hazard Perry Class guided missile frigate the USS Estocin.
Family and friends established this scholarship in his memory. While at Slippery Rock, Mike majored in health and physical education and minored in geography. He was a well-liked individual whose warmth and perpetual grin made him quite popular – a great person to be around. A fierce competitor in sports, Mike demonstrated an unusual maturity in that he easily separated sports competition from the fellowship of daily living. Upon completion of his college studies in 1954, he entered the U.S. Navy as an aviation cadet and received his aviator’s wings in 1955. Through this scholarship, the name and sacrifice of Captain Michael J. Estocin will live as a reminder that the freedoms we as Americans take for granted sometimes come at a great cost.
Michael Estocin was one of only a few Navy pilots trained and qualified to counter North Vietnam’s surface-to-air missile (SAM) defenses. During the Vietnam War, he led several air strikes against targets in Vietnam until, on one mission, his aircraft was damaged by a missile and disappeared in April 1977. Lieutenant Commander Estocin was promoted to commander and then Captain before his status was changed to “killed in action” on November 10, 1977.
He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. The Navy has further recognized and honored Mike Estocin by naming an Oliver Hazard Perry Class guided missile frigate the USS Estocin.
Family and friends established this scholarship in his memory. While at Slippery Rock, Mike majored in health and physical education and minored in geography. He was a well-liked individual whose warmth and perpetual grin made him quite popular – a great person to be around. A fierce competitor in sports, Mike demonstrated an unusual maturity in that he easily separated sports competition from the fellowship of daily living. Upon completion of his college studies in 1954, he entered the U.S. Navy as an aviation cadet and received his aviator’s wings in 1955. Through this scholarship, the name and sacrifice of Captain Michael J. Estocin will live as a reminder that the freedoms we as Americans take for granted sometimes come at a great cost.
Stan Kenziorski and Mengqi Wang attending the President's Scholarship Gala
Phyllis and Stan Kendziorski International Student Scholarship
Mengqi Wang is from Urumqi, China. She spent the year at Slippery Rock University. Living and studying overseas can be challenging but a scholarship like the Phyllis and Stan Kendziorski International Student Scholarship can help. “Thank you so much for donating this scholarship for me. This scholarship encouraged me to work harder and harder; gave me courage when I met difficulties; and also reminded me that I never give up.” Those were the words from Mengqi as she thanked the benefactors of her scholarship.
Mengqi had an opportunity to meet Stan Kendziorski at the 2017 scholarship luncheon. The scholarship, named in his honor, was established through the generosity of anonymous donors, alumni, friends, faculty and staff. Kendziorski served as Director of International studies from 1980 to 1998. The scholarship is intended to recognize and reward a well-rounded international student who contributes significantly to the university in both academic and student life.
This year, Mengqi conducted research with her biology professor and attended a conference to present her work. She plans to continue with research while she is here at Slippery Rock and will apply for graduate school.
Mengqi Wang is from Urumqi, China. She spent the year at Slippery Rock University. Living and studying overseas can be challenging but a scholarship like the Phyllis and Stan Kendziorski International Student Scholarship can help. “Thank you so much for donating this scholarship for me. This scholarship encouraged me to work harder and harder; gave me courage when I met difficulties; and also reminded me that I never give up.” Those were the words from Mengqi as she thanked the benefactors of her scholarship.
Mengqi had an opportunity to meet Stan Kendziorski at the 2017 scholarship luncheon. The scholarship, named in his honor, was established through the generosity of anonymous donors, alumni, friends, faculty and staff. Kendziorski served as Director of International studies from 1980 to 1998. The scholarship is intended to recognize and reward a well-rounded international student who contributes significantly to the university in both academic and student life.
This year, Mengqi conducted research with her biology professor and attended a conference to present her work. She plans to continue with research while she is here at Slippery Rock and will apply for graduate school.
