Gallina Establishes Second Scholarship

The Rev. Leo Gallina, pastor of St. Bernard Church and a supporter of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, has established a scholarship at Pitt-Bradford in memory of his brother, Philip John Gallina.

It is the second scholarship that Father Gallina has established in memory of members of his family, having established the Leo J. and Jessie S. Gallina and Father Leo Gallina Scholarship in 1993. That scholarship is awarded to several students each year.

Philip Gallina died from cancer in 2006 at the age of 63.

“We were good friends,” as well as brothers, Father Gallina explained.

Philip Gallina graduated from St. Vincent’s Preparatory School in Latrobe and went to St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y., where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1965. He went on to complete his Master of Business Administration degree from Duquesne University in 1967.

He worked as a certified public accountant in Pittsburgh with Arthur Young and Co. and was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In 1985, he became chief financial officer of Carolina Lithotripsy. At the time of his death he served as the chief financial officer and secretary of Sonorex Inc.

He left behind a wife of 36 years, Marcia Evans Gallina, and a daughter, Kathleen Ann Stromach. He loved to golf.

The scholarship is unrestricted and was formed through a match from the Agnes L. and Lewis Lyle Thomas Scholarship Challenge. The Thomas Scholarship Challenge matches the amount of any gift between $5,000 and $50,000 given for scholarships.

Abby Engler, a junior sport and recreation management major from Williamsport, was the first recipient of the Philip Gallina Scholarship.

“The reason I set up the scholarship was to immortalize Philip because he had so many friends,” Father Gallina said. “I think the beauty of a scholarship is to help people.”

For more information on the Thomas Scholarship Challenge, contact Jill Ballard, executive director of institutional advancement, at jballard@pitt.edu or (814)362-5091.

Pictured, Philip and Marcia Gallina with Philip’s brother, the Rev. Leo Gallina, at Father Gallina’s 40th anniversary of priesthood celebration.
Photo courtesy of Pitt-Bradford