Energy exec gives alma mater BC3 $100K
A 1972 graduate of Butler County Community College who founded an oil and gas exploration company has contributed $100,000 to the BC3 Education Foundation with a request that it be disbursed in one academic year through his creation of 125 scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000.
“That’s the way I wanted it to work and I am happy with that,” said Gary Griwatz, of Cranberry Township and Tampa, Florida.
Griwatz earned an associate degree in business from BC3, where he was active with what was the Sigma Lambda Chi service fraternity. The group raised money to support a United Fund chapter and cancer and muscular dystrophy research by sponsoring car washes, rock concerts and a smash-a-car event.
Shortly after his graduation from BC3, Griwatz began to work as an assistant buyer for a department store in Scranton, then as a landman in the oil and gas sector in 1973. In 1981, he established Crown Energy Corp., which has employed as many as 90 and where he continues to serve as chief executive officer.
His 125 scholarships will be awarded in 2026-2027.
“BC3 is a great institution,” Griwatz said. “It has always been more affordable than a four-year college. BC3 gives you a chance not only to learn something, but to grow. You can develop ideas and make contact with people who can change your life.
“BC3 also gives students a chance to stretch their legs and learn what they might want to do for the rest of their life.”
Griwatz is a Mars Area High School graduate who said he attributes his success to his faith, family and to those he has met.
The BC3 Education Foundation will have available 100 Gary G. Griwatz Pathway to Pioneer Scholarships of $500 each in 2026-2027 for BC3 student and administer 25 Gary G. Griwatz Scholarships of $2,000 each.
“We’ve never had a gift like this in which the donor gave this amount and wanted it to be awarded through scholarships in a single year,” said Mikayla Moretti, executive director of the BC3 Education Foundation and external relations. “Mr. Griwatz’s gift has such potential to impact so many of our students next fall. It really creates an opportunity for them to graduate debt-free.”
Gary G. Griwatz Pathway to Pioneer Scholarships will be available to current high school seniors upon enrollment next fall at any BC3 location or online and in any program who earned credits through BC3’s College Within the High School or College Now programs.
Separate Gary G. Griwatz Scholarships will be allocated next fall to Pennsylvania students attending any BC3 location or online and in any program who have earned a minimum GPA of 2.0 at the college.
“When we receive a gift from an alum, it tells me they had a meaningful and positive experience at BC3, one that stayed with them long after they left,” said Megan M. Coval, BC3’s president. “That is especially true in the case of Mr. Griwatz, whose generosity reflects a desire to ensure others have the same opportunity. That is incredibly meaningful to us.”
“The choice for a high school student to jump in and pursue college-level credits certainly shows a lot of dedication and commitment to a longer-term goal,” Novak said. “This sort of scholarship opportunity will hopefully incentivize them to consider BC3 as they start their academic journey after high school.”
Griwatz’s gift comes near the conclusion of a calendar year in which BC3 marked its 60th anniversary, opened BC3@Lawrence in Shenango Township, was named the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania by Niche.com and ended with its first fall-to-fall enrollment increase since 2015.
“BC3 is stability,” Griwatz said. “Stability for the community. The students are going to stay here. They are going to learn here. Maybe they’ll go on to get a four-year degree or become doctors and maybe they will want to come back here because they spent two years at BC3.”
Bill Foley is coordinator of news and media content at Butler County Community College.
