University Times

Pitt-Bradford has received a $1 million gift that will yield $2 million in endowed scholarship funds.

The late Agnes L. Thomas, a resident of Bradford for more than 50 years, provided a bequest to the campus that will be used to fund the Agnes L. and Lewis Lyle Thomas Scholarship Challenge.

For as long as the funds last, the challenge will allow donors to double the amount of gifts between $5,000 and $50,000 to new or existing scholarships. The gifts must be paid within five years to be eligible. For example, a $5,000 gift pledged over five years will yield a $10,000 gift to endow a scholarship or add to a scholarship fund.

“The scholarship challenge comes at a crucial time, as many students are struggling to come up with the funds to cover college expenses,” said UPB President Livingston Alexander. “Mrs. Thomas would be pleased to know that her generous gift will give rise to a number of new scholarships and an expansion of existing scholarships.”

Agnes Thomas graduated with honors from the Pittsburgh Academy Business School and worked as an executive secretary at Dresser Manufacturing and later for area physicians Gordon Huff and Edward Roche.

Lewis Lyle Thomas, who died in 1969, was an engineer for the former Bradford Motor Works.

K. James Evans, vice president and dean of Student Affairs, said, “Sometimes a small amount of money can go a long way, resulting in the difference between a student remaining in college or having to withdraw for financial reasons.”