York Rotary Charitable Endowment Fund provides financial support for the academic success of York students seeking higher education.  Thanks to the generous support of Club members, York Rotary Scholarships have been established to reward the academic success, community service, and student determination of York residents attending college, university, trade, or technical school.
 
Students wishing to apply for York Rotary Scholarships should click on the link for more information and to complete an online application. The application process will open on January 1 and will close on March 15.
York Rotary members have created the following scholarships, some of which are related to a specific field of study – all are available for application at the link above:
Bush Scholarship
Criteria:
  • Graduating York County high school senior
  • High Academic Achievement
Award:
  • Four-year $1,100 scholarship (up to $4,400 total)
 
The James C. and Carrie B. Bush Scholarship was created by the Bush Memorial Fund at York County Community Foundation in 2000.  Jim was a 44-year member of York Rotary, whose participation in community was "one of his greatest prides in life."  A longtime sports enthusiast, Jim is remembered by many as an official at York High football games for 30 years, where he played football during high school.  He was a draftsman for York Ice Machines, a District Manager for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of PA, and worked for York Builders Association before his death on April 12, 1999.

Mangold Scholarship

Criteria:
  • Graduating York County high school senior
  • High Academic Achievement
Award:
  • Four-year $1,250 scholarship (up to $5,000 total)
 
The Edwin P. Mangold Scholarship was created by the Estate of York Rotarian Ed Mangold, who was a member of the Club for six years at his passing.  Ed's bequest created the endowed scholarship fund in May 2007.  He was a Paul Harris Fellow and Major Donor member of York Rotary, a veteran of World War II, and a graduate of William Penn High School in York.  Ed was Vice President of York Penn Machinery Company in York for 30 years prior to his retirement, and Board Chairman and Vice President of Clean Way Professional Cleaning Service before his death on November 26, 2006.

Kranich Scholarship

Criteria:
  • York County student attending a two-year or four-year institution of higher education
Award:
  • One-year $2,000 scholarship
 
The Sanford M. Kranich Scholarship was created by the Estate of York Rotarian Sandy Kranich, who was a member of the Club for 41 years.  Sandy's bequest created the endowed fund in May 2007, and an endowed scholarship fund was also created at York County Community Foundation by members of York Rotary.  Sandy was well-known in the community as a collector of friends; everyone was Sandy's "pal."  He was York Rotary's "one man fellowship committee."  Sandy was a loyal Penn State alumnus and worked tirelessly on behalf of York Area Sports Night and the Quarterback Club.  A longtime Real Estate agent in York County, Sandy died on October 10, 2000.

Diehl Scholarship

Criteria:
  • York County student, with a preference for York City, majoring in Engineering
Award:
  • One-year $1,100 scholarship
 
The Charles W. Diehl Jr. Scholarship was created by the Diehl Family Fund of York County Community Foundation, which was created by Alma Diehl in 1997 after Charlie's death, in loving memory of her husband and their children.  Charlie and Alma were the benefactors of many nonprofit organizations dedicated to furthering the well-being of children, with an emphasis on their spiritual growth.

Smith Scholarship

Criteria:
  • York County student majoring in Agriculture
Award:
  • One-year $3,000 scholarship
 
The John T. and Paige S. Smith Scholarship was established in 2013 through the Smith Fund at York County Community Foundation following John's death.  John was a graduate of Penn State University College of Agricultural Sciences and served as the Agricultural County Agent in several PA counties and in York County for 31 years.  He dedicated his life to agriculture and education and was dedicated to the York Fair, York County 4-H, York County Agricultural Business Council, and other organizations.  John was a member of York Rotary for 59 years.  

Kahley Scholarship

Criteria:
  • William Penn High School or York Suburban High School graduate preference
  • Majoring in Music preference (education, performance, composition, production, etc.)
  • High Achievement in Music and Academics
Award:
  • One-year $1,000 scholarship
 
The Arlington Kahley "Rising Musician" Scholarship was created by Art's family and friends in honor of his 90th birthday in 2012.  Art graduated from William Penn High School in York City and received a Bachelor's degree from West Chester and a Master's degree from Penn State.  He also attended the Peabody School of Music.  He retired from York Suburban High School as Chair of the Music Department and Director of Bands.  He was a past director of the York City Band, the York College Band, a past member of the York Symphony Orchestra, and an organizer of the York Youth Symphony. Art was the Founder and Music Director of the Pennsylvania Ambassadors of Music.  He was a member of York Rotary for 19 years before his death on August 18, 2021.

Hayes Scholarship

Criteria:
  • York County student in junior or senior year or graduate school majoring in the Equine field
Award:
  • One-year $3,200 scholarship
 
The Donna E. Hayes Equine Scholarship was created by York Rotary member Al Hayes in memory of his wife following her death on April 7, 2017.  Donna had a passion for horses and interacted with them all of her life, and her scholarship will provide funding for students attending equine veterinarian school.  Donna and Al celebrated 39 years of marriage.  Al was a member of York Rotary for 26 years upon his passing on January 7, 2022.

Wagman Scholarship

Criteria:
  • York County junior or senior year student at York College of PA pursuing Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
Award:
  • One-year $2,200 scholarship
 
The Carol Wagman Nursing Scholarship was created by York Rotary member Carol Wagman in 2019.  Carol is a retired nurse and an active community volunteer and joined York Rotary in 2015.

Non-Traditional Student Scholarships

          Rosenmiller Family Scholarship Fund
          Bert Oberdick Non-Traditional Student Scholarship Fund
 
Criteria:
  • York County student enrolled later in life
  • Accredited technical or trade school, college, or university
Award:
  • One-time $3,000 scholarship

York Rotary created the Non-Traditional Student Scholarship in 2012 to support the educational needs of hard-working students who've enrolled in higher education later in life to advance themselves in their career aspirations to become leaders in their field and/or to better provide for their family.  Gifts from many Club members have been endowed to support students attending York Technical Institute, HACC, York County School of Technology, or other accredited technical or trade schools, colleges, or universities.

In addition, these scholarships are supported by the Rosenmiller Family Scholarship Fund.  It was created in 2017 by Rotarian Fred Rosenmiller, who has been a member of the Club since 1965.  Fred is a retired real estate developer in York and is well known for his philanthropy in the community.  His fund supports the ideals of Rotary and the hardworking students who deserve financial support to achieve their goals.
Roberta “Bert” Oberdick served as Executive Coordinator of York Rotary for nearly 28 years and retired March 31, 2021. To honor Bert’s years of service, the 27 Past Presidents who worked with Bert, along with the 2021 Officers, contributed personal gifts to create the endowed Bert Oberdick Non-Traditional Student Scholarship Fund.  Bert’s Fund joins others to support adult learners in the York community, an aspect of York Rotary that she loved.

“Service Above Self” Scholarship

Criteria:
  • York County student in junior year of college
  • High Academic Achievement
  • Community Service
Award:
  • Two-year $2,500 scholarship (up to $5,000 total)
 
York Rotary created the "Service Above Self" Scholarship in 2021 to support undergraduate students in their junior and senior year who exhibit high academic achievement and participate in community service, living Rotary's motto "Service Above Self."
To begin the conversation about creating your own York Rotary Legacy, contact Executive Director Lynne Morrison.
To make a gift to any of the York Rotary Scholarships, click the button below and note the scholarship you are supporting.