Celebrating the Ward Scholarship's Second Cohort
Honoring the Fall 2025 Recipients
Saint Francis University is proud to announce the second cohort of recipients of the prestigious Ward Scholarship, a transformative award created through the generosity of Mr. Michael E. Ward and Ms. Andrea M. Ward in partnership with UPMC Altoona and the UPMC Foundation. This year’s honorees are Ashlyn Ball, Violet Brickner, Emily Diehl, Paige Hartline, and Julia Papcun, exceptional junior and senior nursing students who embody the compassion, dedication, and skill that will carry them into meaningful nursing careers.
A Celebration of Excellence
To mark this milestone, a special luncheon was held last Friday to honor the students and recognize the impact of the scholarship. Attendees included:
- Dr. Kerri Golden, Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education
- Dr. Kim Forst, Chair of Nursing
- Dr. Amy Kowalski, BSN Program Director
- Dr. Frank Montecalvo, Vice President for Innovative Partnerships and Student Development
- Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., President of Saint Francis University
Together, they applauded the awardees’ accomplishments and the scholarship’s continued role in shaping the future of healthcare.
Strengthening the Nursing Workforce
The Ward Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in scholarship funding ($15,000 each for junior and senior year), along with an additional sign-on bonus of up to $15,000 and student loan repayment, in exchange for a post-graduation commitment to serve at UPMC Altoona. More than just financial support, the award represents an investment in the next generation of nurses who will care for and serve their communities with compassion and purpose.
“These students represent the best of Saint Francis nursing,” said Dr. Golden. “Their achievements today signal a bright future for our program, our partners at UPMC, and the many patients whose lives they will touch.”