Panettiere Scholarship Pays It Forward
Ninety-eight percent of Westminster College students receive financial aid, including generous support from alumni. For John M. Panettiere, Class of ’59, funding student scholarships brings full circle the support he received as a Westminster student. Panettiere signed a new agreement at Westminster’s Fulton, MO campus today announcing his intent to increase the amount of the endowment that funds the Panettiere Family Foundation Scholarship. His support enables more students to receive an education at Westminster, ranked one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and the Princeton Review.
“John Panettiere, his family and their foundation have been tremendously supportive of Westminster College through the years and this new commitment would raise their giving level into the millions,” says Westminster President Dr. George B. Forsythe. “Many students have been the recipients of their support and countless others will be in the future.”
Established in 2004, the Panettiere Family Foundation Scholarship provides financial assistance for Westminster students of Italian-American heritage. So far, fifteen students have been able to receive a Westminster education because of this scholarship.
Panettiere himself was able to attend Westminster because of a government scholarship he received as a result of his father’s tragic death at Guadalcanal in World War II and never forgot that opportunity he received.
“We currently have five students on scholarship and would like to increase that number to at least ten in the future,” says Panettiere. “We truly believe in the Westminster educational experience and will continue our support of the College as we have done in the past and now through our Family Foundation.”
Three of the five current Panettiere scholarship students were on hand to witness the signing of the new agreement. Those in attendance included Alyssa Johnson, a freshman from Midlothian, IL; Jackie Migneco, a junior from St. Louis, MO; and Maya Sosa, a sophomore from Florissant, MO.
Panettiere was joined by his son Chris, Class of ’93, for the signing ceremony. His other two sons, Andrew and Brian, attended Westminster College as well.
Dignitaries attending the ceremony included Westminster Chairman of the Board of Trustees Wally Head, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Bill Sheehan and Westminster President Forsythe.
Panettiere and his wife Wendy were also significantly involved in the campaign to build Westminster’s Mueller Leadership Hall and are strong supporters of The Westminster Fund and the National Churchill Museum. They have also been involved in the recent campaign to renovate the Phi Delta Theta house on campus.
Panettiere has received both the Westminster Alumni Achievement Award and the Westminster Student Government Association Alumni Service Award. In 1995 he was awarded an honorary degree by the College. He has been a member of The President’s Club for the past 13 years.
He is President and CEO of J.M. Panettiere, a business consulting firm, in Wetumpka, AL.
“To say thank you is not enough as John and Wendy Panettiere did more than support me financially,” says Nicki DiSalvo, Class of ’11, who was a Panettiere Family Foundation Scholarship recipient. “They were cheerleaders from afar and strong role models throughout my four years as a student. The Panettiere family has inspired me, and I hope that one day I, too, can impact students as they have.”
Hear Panettiere’s remarks on Panettiere Family Foundation Scholarship and why he supports Westminster:
Photo:
Seated, Chris Panettiere ’93, John Panettiere ’59, President Barney Forsythe. Standing, Westminster College Board of Directors Chairman Wally Head; Director of Financial Aid Aimee Bristow; Panettiere Scholarship recipients Jackie Migneco, Maya Sosa and Alyssa Johnson; and Director of Admissions Kelle Silvey.
