Alumnus donates $1M for scholarship
Several members of the Haverlack family tell people Slippery Rock University played a big role in their lives.
Brothers Stewart and Elliott graduated from The Rock in 1979 and 1980, respectively. And Elliott's son, Zane, later earned his degree from the university in 2008.
That strong connection led Elliott Haverlack and his wife, Rhonda, to recently donate $1 million to SRU to establish the Frank and Margaret Haverlack Good Citizen Scholarship, named in honor of Elliott's late parents. The announcement came this weekend as part of the university's Celebration of Giving.
“The gift from the Haverlacks is the largest that SRU has ever received from an alumnus. I am humbled by their generosity and grateful for their commitment to providing life-changing opportunities to future generations of SRU students,” said William Behre, president of SRU.
Starting next fall, the Haverlack Scholarship will be awarded annually to one incoming first-year student and cover up to half of the recipient's tuition for up to four years.
“The Haverlack family is honored to partner with Slippery Rock University to connect the good citizen leaders of tomorrow with a 'Rock solid' education,” Elliott Haverlack said. “My parents, Frank and Margaret, loved the Slippery Rock community and its people and they believed in the importance of education. My time at SRU was far more than just a classroom education, it prepared me to achieve success and fulfillment in life.”
Frank and Margaret Haverlack operated a general store near Slippery Rock in the 1970s and served the community through sponsoring scouting and church organizations.
“Once you become a part of The Rock family, no matter when you leave or where you go, you are always part of The Rock family,” Behre said. “I can't think of a better or more perfect example of that than this gift.”
In addition to meeting a required high school GPA of 3.0, Haverlack Scholarship candidates must demonstrate a commitment to community service. Examples include work as an emergency first responder, a volunteer with a nonprofit organization or a leadership role within a scouting or religious organization.
In addition to maintaining good grades, scholarship recipients will be required to serve as campus leaders at SRU, completing at least 10 hours of community service weekly during the academic year.
“This is an incredible gift that pays tribute to Elliott's parents while assisting SRU students for generations to come,” said Samantha Swift, director of development for the SRU Foundation, Inc. “We are extremely grateful to Elliott and his family. Their generosity is truly inspiring.”
Elliott Haverlack earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science at SRU. He resides in Estero, Fla., with his wife, Rhonda, and spent a majority of his 39-year career in the pet industry. He retired in 2012 as the president and chief operating officer of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. He and his wife also founded Targeted Pet Treats.
He currently operates a continuing education and executive coaching company, is a member of the board of directors for CJ Foods, and serves as vice chairman for the Pennsylvania Chapter of Child Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary Teams.
Justin Zackal is a communication specialist with Slippery Rock University.
