Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship
The Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to PFMA members, their employees and their children to help with the cost of attending college or graduate school. Scholarship applications open for acceptance in the fall, and recipients are announced no later than May 31.
Promoting The Scholarship
PFMA members are encouraged to donate money to the fund when they pay their membership dues each year. Brokers, manufacturers’ representatives, retailers and wholesalers support the Ridge Fund. All PFMA member companies are encouraged to promote the scholarship once applications go live in December.
Make a Contribution
Help the Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship Fund grow! To make a contribution to the Ridge Fund, send your check to:
Ridge Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 870
Camp Hill, PA 17001-0870
History
In 1995, PFMA formed a partnership with the Pittsburgh Association of Manufacturers Representatives (PAMR) and the Northwestern Pennsylvania Food Council to hold a fundraising dinner to benefit the Thomas R. Ridge Scholarship Fund.
The Ridge Scholarship honors former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge’s father, who was a member of the food industry for 25 years. In 2001, the scholarship committee decided to include Tom Ridge’s mother, Laura, in the scholarship’s name since she was a great advocate of education for Gov. Ridge, his brother David and sister Vikki. Through the years, Ridge dinners raised enough money for an endowment.
An independent judging panel selects the scholarship recipients each year. Since 1996, 654 students have received Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarships, totaling over $1.3 million, to continue their education.
Previous Ridge Scholars
Sponsoring organizations are listed in bold.
2024
- Carl Andreas III of Allentown is attending Penn State Lehigh Valley to study cybersecurity analytics and operations. He is sponsored by PFMA.
- Helayna Baer of Cheswick is attending the University of Pittsburgh to study chemical engineering and French. She is sponsored by Sheetz.
- Alexis Benner of Reedsville is attending Juniata College to study biology. She is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Mason Bowersox of York is attending Millersville University to study applied engineering occupational safety and environmental health. He is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Alexia Brubaker of Manchester is attending York College of Pennsylvania to study forensic chemistry. She is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Laila Buckman of Haymarket, Virginia, is attending Virginia Tech to study wildlife conservation. She is sponsored by PFMA.
- Nancy Colwell of Hayes, Virginia, is attending James Madison University to study accounting. She is sponsored by Wawa.
- Gilbeiry Marte Diaz of Martinsburg, West Virginia, is attending Shepherd University to study nursing. She is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Lindsay Fittipaldi of Egg Harbor, New Jersey, is attending Quinnipiac University to study criminal justice. She is sponsored by Wawa.
- Noah Gadsby of Bellefonte is attending Penn State to study aerospace engineering. He is sponsored by PFMA.
- Kayla Gaston of Brookville is attending Susquehanna University to study international business economics. She is sponsored by PFMA.
- Jesse Hoopes of Paradise is attending Penn State Berks to study mechanical engineering. He is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Devon Levin of Philadelphia is attending York College of Pennsylvania to study forensic chemistry. She is sponsored by The GIANT Company.
- Emily Marks of Douglassville is attending Penn State Berks to study psychology. She is sponsored by Wawa.
- Harlie Marks of New Castle is attending Youngstown State University to study dental hygiene. She is sponsored by PFMA.
- Casey Mazur of Middlesex, New Jersey, is attending Albright College to study accounting. He is sponsored by Wawa.
- Peter Murnane of West Chester is attending Penn State to study mechanical engineering. He is sponsored by The GIANT Company.
- Travis Noecker of Hamburg is attending Arcadia University to study biology. He is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Jessica Palacios of New Market, Virginia, is attending James Madison University to study communication sciences and disorders. She is sponsored by The GIANT Company.
- Riya Patel of Ellicott City, Maryland, is attending the University of Maryland to study public health science. She is sponsored by PFMA.
- Hannah Rill of Red Lion is attending Western Governors University to study elementary education. She is sponsored by Rutter’s.
- Nicholas Santucci of Pittsburgh is attending the University of Pittsburgh to study civil engineering. He is sponsored by Sheetz.
- Emily Sheriff of Landisburg is attending Coastal Carolina University to study marine and coastal environmental science. She is sponsored by Karns.
- Parker Williams of Hanover is attending the University of Richmond to study accounting. He is sponsored by PFMA.
- Ryan Wilson of Mechanicsburg is attending Bloomsburg University to study finance. He is sponsored by The GIANT Company.
- Jena Wood of Kennett Square is attending A.T. Still University to get her Doctor of Health Sciences. She is sponsored by The Giant Company.
- Aubryana Zettlemoyer of Shamokin Dam is attending Lebanon Valley College to study chemistry. She is sponsored by PFMA.
- Sandy Zheng of Spring Grove is attending West Chester University to study biochemistry. She is sponsored by Rutter’s.
2023
- Helayna Baer of Cheswick, PA, plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to major in Chemical Engineering and a minor in French. (Sheetz)
- Alexis Benner of Reedsville, PA, plans to attend Juniata College to major in Biology. (Rutter’s)
- Madison Braswell of Howell, NJ, plans to attend Montclair State University to major in Earth and Environmental Science. (Wawa)
- Nancy Colwell of Hayes, VA, plans to attend James Madison University to major in Marketing and minor in Business Spanish. (Wawa)
- Sydney Eckhardt Phoenixville, PA, plans to major in Economics and History at Boston College. (Wawa)
- Maizie Ecker of Seven Valleys, PA, plans to attend West Chester University to major in Nutrition and a minor in Biology. (Rutter’s)
- Jillian Evans of Coatesville, PA, plans to attend University of Delaware Honors College to major in Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. (GIANT/Martin’s)
- Lindsay Fittipaldi of Egg Harbor, NJ, plans to attend Quinnipiac University to major in Criminal Justice. (Wawa)
- Sarah Graham of Altoona, PA, plans to attend Dickinson College to major in International Studies with a minor in Political Science and Spanish. (PFMA/David & Kathryn McCorkle)
- Sydney Hertzog of Kutztown, PA, plans to attend Gwynedd Mercy University to major in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy with a minor in Psychology. (PFMA)
- Hannah Hess of Berwick, PA, plans to attend King’s College to major in Early Childhood Education PK- 4 and Special Education PK- 12 and pursuing a Masters in Reading. (GIANT/Martin’s)
- Lucas Hydock of Minersville, PA, plans to attend The Pennsylvania State University to major in Film and Cinematography Production. (PFMA)
- McKenna Kessler of Fleetwood, PA, plans to attend East Stroudsburg University to major in Digital Media Technologies (DMET). (GIANT/Martin’s)
- Edgar Maysonet of Orlando, FL, plans to attend the University of Central Florida to major in Mechanical Engineering. (PFMA)
- Peter Murnane of West Chest, PA, plans to attend The Pennsylvania State University to major in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Technology Based Entrepreneurship and Innovation. (GIANT/Martin’s)
- Travis Noecker of Hamburg, PA, plans to attend Arcadia University to major in Forensic Science. (Rutter’s)
- Mackenzie Owens of Lansdale, PA, plans to attend University College Dublin to major in Applied Economics. (GIANT/Martin’s)
- Riya Patel of Ellicott City, MD, plans to attend University of Maryland to major in Public Health Science and minor in Humanities, Health and Medicine. (PFMA)
- Kara Peck of Waynesboro, PA, plans to attend Shippensburg University to major in Early Childhood Education. (PFMA)
- Jamie Pottman of York, PA, plans to attend University of Delaware to major in Applied Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. (Rutter’s)
- Mark Pottman of York, PA, plans to attend Kutztown University to major in Cinema, Media, and Television. (Rutter’s)
- Kaitlyn Sheriff of Landisburg, PA, plans to attend Lycoming College to major in Astrophysics and a minor in Computational Science. (Karns)
- Caleb Shoemaker of Duncannon, PA, plans to attend Penn State Harrisburg to major in Mechanical Engineering. (Rutter’s)
- Madalyn Strait of Columbia, PA, plans to attend Misericordia University to major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. (PFMA)
- LaRin Walls of Hollidaysburg, PA, plans to attend Point Park University to major in Theatre Production. (Sheetz)
- Ryan Wilson of Mechanicsburg, PA, plans to attend Bloomsburg University to major in Finance. (PFMA)
- Sandy Zheng of Spring Grove, PA, plans to attend West Chester University to major in Biochemistry with a minor in Biology. (Rutter’s)
2022
- Helayna Baer of Cheswick, PA, plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to major in Chemical Engineering and a minor in French. (Sheetz)
- Alexis Benner of Reedsville, PA, plans to attend Juniata College to major in Biology. (Rutter’s)
- Madison Braswell of Howell, NJ, plans to attend Montclair State University to major in Earth and Environmental Science. (Wawa)
- Nancy Colwell of Hayes, VA, plans to attend James Madison University to major in Marketing and minor in Business Spanish. (Wawa)
- Sydney Eckhardt Phoenixville, PA, plans to major in Economics and History at Boston College. (Wawa)
- Maizie Ecker of Seven Valleys, PA, plans to attend West Chester University to major in Nutrition and a minor in Biology. (Rutter’s)
- Jillian Evans of Coatesville, PA, plans to attend University of Delaware Honors College to major in Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. (GIANT/Martin’s)
- Lindsay Fittipaldi of Egg Harbor, NJ, plans to attend Quinnipiac University to major in Criminal Justice. (Wawa)
- Sarah Graham of Altoona, PA, plans to attend Dickinson College to major in International Studies with a minor in Political Science and Spanish. (PFMA/David & Kathryn McCorkle)
- Sydney Hertzog of Kutztown, PA, plans to attend Gwynedd Mercy University to major in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy with a minor in Psychology. (PFMA)
- Hannah Hess of Berwick, PA, plans to attend King’s College to major in Early Childhood Education PK- 4 and Special Education PK- 12 and pursuing a Masters in Reading. (GIANT/Martin’s)
- Lucas Hydock of Minersville, PA, plans to attend The Pennsylvania State University to major in Film and Cinematography Production. (PFMA)
- McKenna Kessler of Fleetwood, PA, plans to attend East Stroudsburg University to major in Digital Media Technologies (DMET). (GIANT/Martin’s)
- Edgar Maysonet of Orlando, FL, plans to attend the University of Central Florida to major in Mechanical Engineering. (PFMA)
- Peter Murnane of West Chest, PA, plans to attend The Pennsylvania State University to major in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Technology Based Entrepreneurship and Innovation. (GIANT/Martin’s)
- Travis Noecker of Hamburg, PA, plans to attend Arcadia University to major in Forensic Science. (Rutter’s)
- Mackenzie Owens of Lansdale, PA, plans to attend University College Dublin to major in Applied Economics. (GIANT/Martin’s)
- Riya Patel of Ellicott City, MD, plans to attend University of Maryland to major in Public Health Science and minor in Humanities, Health and Medicine. (PFMA)
- Kara Peck of Waynesboro, PA, plans to attend Shippensburg University to major in Early Childhood Education. (PFMA)
- Jamie Pottman of York, PA, plans to attend University of Delaware to major in Applied Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. (Rutter’s)
- Mark Pottman of York, PA, plans to attend Kutztown University to major in Cinema, Media, and Television. (Rutter’s)
- Kaitlyn Sheriff of Landisburg, PA, plans to attend Lycoming College to major in Astrophysics and a minor in Computational Science. (Karns)
- Caleb Shoemaker of Duncannon, PA, plans to attend Penn State Harrisburg to major in Mechanical Engineering. (Rutter’s)
- Madalyn Strait of Columbia, PA, plans to attend Misericordia University to major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. (PFMA)
- LaRin Walls of Hollidaysburg, PA, plans to attend Point Park University to major in Theatre Production. (Sheetz)
- Ryan Wilson of Mechanicsburg, PA, plans to attend Bloomsburg University to major in Finance. (PFMA)
- Sandy Zheng of Spring Grove, PA, plans to attend West Chester University to major in Biochemistry with a minor in Biology. (Rutter’s)
2021
- Kiersten Barr of Havertown, Pa., plans to attend Clemson University and major in microbiology, with a concentration in biomedicine. ($2,000; Wawa)
- Katherine Calderone of Camp Hill, Pa., plans to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania and major in chemistry. ($2,000;PFMA)
- Ethan Cramer of York, Pa, plans to attend Penn State York and major in architectural engineering. ($2,500; Rutter’s)
- Saidy Marisol Cruz Martinez of Elkin, N.C., plans to attend Appalachian State University and major in building sciences, architectural technology and design, with a minor in sustainable design. ($2,000; Sheetz)
- Holly Deemer of DuBois, Pa., plans to attend Penn State University and major in supply chain and information systems, with a minor in information sciences and technology. ($2,000; PFMA)
- Michael Engles of Sykesville, Md., plans to attend Salisbury University and major in marketing. ($2,000; PFMA)
- Molly Gill of Lewisburg, Pa., plans to attend Penn State University and major in computer science, with a minor in mathematics. ($2,000; PFMA)
- Kylee Harvey of Kennett Square, Pa., plans to attend Sacred Heart University and earn her master’s in criminal justice. ($2,000; Wawa)
- Norah Kelly of Scranton, Pa., plans to attend the University of Notre Dame as an undecided student. ($2,000; PFMA)
- Erin Kiple of Burlington, N.J., plans to attend Stockton University to major in nursing. ($2,000; Wawa)
- Delia Morchesky of Carrolltown, Pa., plans to attend Savannah College of Art and Design to major in animation. ($2,000; PFMA)
- Peter Murnane of West Chester, Pa., plans to attend Penn State University and major in mechanical engineering. ($2,000; The GIANT Company)
- Caroline Nagle of Altoona, Pa., plans to attend Lock Haven University to study as a pre-physician assistant and minor Spanish. ($2,000; Sheetz)
- Shannon O’Malley of Fairless Hills, Pa., plans to attend The University of Alabama and major in anthropology, with a minor in liberal arts. ($2,000; Wawa)
- Riya Patel of Coatesville, Pa., plans to attend Rutgers University and major in cognitive science, with minors in biological sciences and health and society. ($2,000; The GIANT Company)
- Hayden Perrone of Phoenixville, Pa., plans to attend Penn State Berks and major in biology. ($2,000; The GIANT Company)
- Mark Pottman of York, Pa., plans to attend Kutztown University and major in cinema, television and media production. ($2,500; Rutter’s)
- Nolan Pye of Doylestown, Pa., plans to attend Penn State University and major in chemical engineering. ($2,000; The GIANT Company)
- Kaitlyn Sheriff of Landisburg, Pa., plans to attend Lycoming College and major in astrophysics, with minors in computer science and mathematics. ($2,000; Karns Quality Foods)
- Sandya Subramanian of Bridgewater, N.J., plans to attend Boston University and major in medical science, with a minor in Latin. ($2,000; PFMA)
- Garrit Witters of Elizabethtown, Pa., plans to attend Rochester Institute of Technology and major in computing security. ($2,000; The GIANT Company)
- Donald Yealy of New Oxford, Pa., plans to attend Penn State University and major in forest ecosystem management. ($2,000; PFMA)
2020
- Kiersten Barr of Havertown, Pa., attending Clemson University – Wawa
- Rebecca Ditmar of Sellersville, Pa., attending DeSales University – Wawa
- Emma Evans of Erie, Pa., attending Penn State University – Northwestern Pennsylvania Food Council (NWPFC)
- Morgan George of Heilwood, Pa., attending Saint Francis University – Sheetz
- Angela Jones of Chambersburg, Pa., attending California University of Pennsylvania – PFMA (Named for past president Dave McCorkle)
- Julia Kennedy of Edgewater, N.J., attending Stockton University – PFMA
- Thaddeus Kraucz of New Enterprise, Pa., attending Penn State Altoona – PFMA
- Kayli Krohmer of Morgantown, Pa., attending Widener University – Wawa
- Cole Lutcavage of Mechanicsburg, PA, attending Northeastern University – GIANT / Martin’s
- Ryan McNeill of Downingtown, Pa., attending Penn State University – Wawa
- Nicholas Ransom of Prince Frederick, Md., attending Salisbury University – PFMA
- Anessa Reid of Greencastle, Pa., attending Liberty University – PFMA
- Brendan Reichart of Durham, N.C., attending Duke Law School – Wawa
- Audrey Ritchie of Conestoga, Pa., attending Drexel University – GIANT / Martin’s
- Camryn Rogers of Pottstown, Pa., attending University of Pittsburgh – GIANT / Martin’s
- Keera Scholl of Selinsgrove, Pa., attending Liberty University – PFMA
- Nathan Sheriff of Landisburg, Pa., attending Temple University – Karns Quality Foods
- Jonathan Skee of Bethlehem, Pa., attending Grove City College – PFMA
- Vivian Smith of Nazareth, Pa., attending Kutztown University – GIANT / Martin’s
- John Soyka of Ebensburg, Pa., attending Dickinson College – Sheetz
- Kaylee Wilson of Lebanon, Pa., attending Drexel University – GIANT / Martin’s
- Donald Yealy of New Oxford, Pa., attending Penn State Mont Alto – PFMA
2019
- Alexis Anders of Martinsburg, W.Va., attending West Virginia University — Giant/Martin’s
- Brigette Anders of Martinsburg, W.Va., attending West Virginia University — Giant/Martin’s
- Logan Bethmann of Johnstown, Pa., attending the University of Pittsburgh — Sheetz
- Renee Bonner of Wrightsville, Pa., attending Schreiner University — PFMA
- Ryan Clark of Everett, Pa., attending Conemaugh School of Nursing — PFMA
- Angela Eckert of Port Carbon, Pa., attending King’s College — PFMA
- Emma Evans of Erie, Pa., attending Penn State University — NWPFC
- Shaely M. Gamble of Dover, Pa., attending Shippensburg University — PFMA
- Sam Haibach of Erie, Pa., attending Penn State University — NWPFC
- Kyra Heap of York, Pa., attending Washington College — Giant/Martin’s
- Samantha Johnson of Hackettstown, N.J., attending Centenary University — PFMA
- Brandon Kupniewski of Waterford, Pa., attending the University of Pittsburgh — NWPFC
- Sean Parente of Woodstock, Va., attending Caldwell University — Sheetz
- Anessa Reid of Greencastle, Pa., isattending Liberty University — PFMA
- Lauren Runkle of Royersford, Pa., attending Susquehanna University — Giant/Martin’s
- Kristine Serafin of Union City, Pa., attending Penn State Behrend — NWPFC
- Nathan Sheriff of Landisburg, Pa., is attending Temple University — Karns
- Luke Sicilia of Coatesville, Pa., attending Penn State University — Wawa
- Vivian Smith of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, attending Dickinson College — Giant/Martin’s
- Sandya Subramanian of Bridgewater, N.J., attending Boston University — PFMA
- Morgan Wynkoop of Sigel, Pa., attending Colgate University — PFMA
2018
- Kiersten Barr of Havertown, Pa. — Wawa, Inc.
- Tristan Cassar of Mantua, Pa. — Wawa, Inc.
- Samantha Capriotti of Exton, Pa. — The Ridge Fund
- Maria Daly of Malvern, Pa. — Wawa, Inc.
- Aiden Doyle of Coopersburg, Pa. — Giant Food Stores
- Emma Evans of Erie, Pa. — Northwestern Pa. Food Council
- Andrew Gibson of Fairview, Pa. — Northwestern Pa. Food Council
- Kylie Goodling of Wrightsville, Pa. — The Ridge Fund
- John Hansberry of Vancouver, Wash. — The Ridge Fund
- Matthew Hartley of New Kensington, Pa. — The Ridge Fund
- Stephanie Kennedy of Thurmont, Md. — The Ridge Fund
- Rosario LaSpina of Gilbertsville, Pa. — Wawa, Inc.
- Elana McGraw of Waterford, Pa. — Northwestern Pa. Food Council
- Mackenzie Owens of Lansdale, Pa. — Giant Food Stores
- Lauren Reichart of Gainsville, Fla. — Wawa, Inc.
- Lauren Runkle of Royersford, Pa. — Giant Food Stores
- Madyson Rush of Erie, Pa. — The Ridge Fund
- Nathan Sheriff of Landisburg, Pa. — Karns Quality Food, Ltd.
- Audrey Simpson of Duncansville, Pa. — Sheetz, Inc.
- Vivian Smith of Nazareth, Pa. — Giant Food Stores
- Catherine Torres of Hazelton, Pa. — The Ridge Fund
- Eric Tran of Norwood, Pa. — Giant Food Stores
- Rachel Weaver of Norwood, Pa. — The Ridge Fund
- Kiersten Young of Altoona, Pa. — Sheetz, Inc.
2017
- Derek Arnold of Altoona, Pa. — Sheetz, Inc.
- Rebecca Beall of Stewartstown, Pa. — Giant Food Stores, LLC
- Maria Daly of Malvern, Pa. — Wawa, Inc.
- Patrick Fagan of Camp Hill, Pa. — Karns Quality Foods, Ltd.
- Andrew Gibson of Fairview, Pa. — Northwestern Pennsylvania Food Council
- Madelyn Grossman of Mechanicsburg, Pa. — PFMA
- Jacob Haibach of Waterford, Pa. — Northwestern Pennsylvania Food Council
- Cassidy Hayden of Fairless Hills, Pa. — PFMA
- Mary-Catherine Ingaldi of Erie, Pa. — Northwestern Pennsylvania Food Council
- Sophie Metz of Lewisville, N.C. — PFMA
- Kiersten Millward of Douglassville, Pa. — Giant Food Stores, LLC
- Ashley Morgan of Rochelle Park, N.J. — Wawa, Inc.
- Shannon O’Malley of Fairless Hills, Pa. — Wawa, Inc.
- Lauren Reichart of Thornton, Pa. — Wawa, Inc.
- Ignacio Ruiz of Wilmington, Del. — PFMA
- Alana Sanchez of Winter Springs, Fla. — Wawa, Inc.
- Colleen Scott of Camp Hill, Pa. — PFMA
- Morgan Scott of Conneautville, Pa. — Sheetz, Inc.
- Jonathan Skee of Bethlehem, Pa. — PFMA
- Vivian Smith of Nazareth, Pa. — Giant Food Stores, LLC
- Emma Torija of Shippensburg, Pa. — PFMA
- Marc Wagner of York, Pa. — Giant Food Stores, LLC
- Kelly Weikel of Reading, Pa. — PFMA
- Natalie Wynne of Gilbertsville, Pa. — Giant Food Stores, LLC
Education Trust
Provide scholarship grants to your own employees through the PFMA Education Trust. By making a tax-deductible gift to the trust and designating that the funds be used to provide scholarships to your own employees or their children, the Education Trust serves as a vehicle for making tax-free scholarship awards.
Awards will be tax-free to scholarship winners, and contributions to the fund are tax deductible for the sponsoring company. For information on creating an IRS-approved Scholarship Program for your company, call PFMA at 800-543-8207 or email [email protected].
