New Scholarship Announced

By Kimberly Marcott Weinberg
Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has announced the Dilks Family Scholarship, which has been established to support students graduating from either the Warren Area High School or Oil City Area High School.

The gift will be matched by the Agnes and Lyle Lewis Thomas Scholarship fund, essentially doubling its potential to aid eligible students. In the event that there are no graduates of Warren or Oil City high schools eligible for the scholarship, the award will be made to a student from Warren or Venango counties.

The Dilks Family Scholarship Fund was established by Bob Dilks, Jr., Director of Transfer and Non-Traditional Student Recruitment at Pitt-Bradford, and his family.

“Having been with Pitt-Bradford for nearly 20 years, I know first-hand how much scholarships can positively influence students and help ease the financial burden of attending college,” explained Dilks. “It’s much better when you can focus on your studies and not how you’re going to pay for it all,” he added.

The scholarship reflects a commitment on the part of the Dilks family to both Pitt and the Warren area. “I have been thinking about the possibility of this scholarship for over a year. The matching funds opportunity prompted me to take action. When I approached my dad and brother, there was no hesitation on their parts to pitch in to make it happen,” reported Dilks.

Robert Dilks, Sr., a retired public relations professional and published author who lived for many years in Warren, served Pitt-Bradford in the 1980s as an adjunct instructor of public relations. Jason (Jay) Dilks, brother to Dilks, Jr., graduated from Pitt-Oakland. Jay Dilks’ wife, Allison, is a physician at UPMC in Oil City, and her father is also a Pitt grad.

Also supportive of scholarship opportunities are Dilks’ wife, Jen, who is a teacher in the Warren School District, and his father’s wife, Sue, who is also a published author and a Warren native.

“We have a big Pitt family going here,” noted Dilks.

Agnes L. Thomas, a resident of Bradford for more than 50 years, provided in her will a one million dollar bequest to the university that will be used to fund the Agnes L. and Lewis Lyle Thomas Scholarship Challenge.

For as long as the funds last, the challenge will allow donors to double the amount of gifts between $5,000 and $50,000 to new or existing scholarships. The gifts must be paid within five years to be eligible. For more information about establishing a scholarship, contact Karen Niemic Buchheit, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, at 814-362-5091.

Students who would like more information about donor scholarships and how to apply for them should contact the Pitt-Bradford Office of Financial Aid at 814-362-7550.

Pictured, from left, Bob Dilks Sr., Bob Dilks Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, Allison Dilks, Sue Dilks and Jason Dilks