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McElhattan Memorial Scholarship established

Clarion University has announced the establishment of the David M. McElhattan Memorial Scholarship.

Family and friends established the scholarship when an untimely illness and death removed a friend of young people in the Franklin-Rocky Grove area. Through this fund scholarships may be granted to seniors or recent graduates from Franklin and Rocky Grove High Schools who display the same principles of good sportsmanship, compassion, love, and respect for others that were so important to McElhattan.

“In his his memory, we wanted to give back to young people, particularly those in the Franklin and Rocky Grove area,” said his father, Dr. Glenn McElhattan (’56), emeritus professor of chemistry, Clarion University – Venango Campus. “We wanted the scholarship to be at Clarion University, in part because of my long career at Clarion University including serving as scholarship chair at Clarion University – Venango Campus, and because of the ties his mother, sister, son, and daughter have to Clarion.”

Those qualifying for the scholarship must be a full-time undergraduate student at Clarion University or Clarion University – Venango Campus, whose academic achievement is above average as measured by the admission file including QPA, class rank, SAT or ACT scores, and high school transcripts; who displays evidence of involvement in sports, music, the arts, or other social activities as a “team player,” or one who displays the quality of caring for others, either at the high school or community level; is a senior or recent graduate of Franklin or Rocky Grove High Schools; and has financial need as determined by the selection committee.

“David did so much for young people,” said Glenn McElhattan. “He had a nice personality, was friends with everyone, and was loved by everyone. He was very big on Clarion and scholarships so this was a natural match. It is a way of giving something back.”

David McElhattan, a native of Franklin, Pa., spent most of his adult life as friend, confidant, supporter, and coach of many young people of the Franklin and Rocky Grove area. He and his wife, the former Shelley Snyder, are both Rocky Grove High School graduates. He attended Behrend College of Penn State University and was employed by Kay Jewelers, A. Crivelli Auto Sales, and for many years by Conair.

He enjoyed time spent with his family in a number of activities including water sports, travel, fishing, and playing guitar. His real passion was organized sports, especially those that involved his son, Dustin, and his daughter, Jessica.

He was well known in the Franklin area for coaching t-ball, minor league and little league baseball, Franklin YMCA biddy basketball, and girl’s softball. His wife would always be the chief cheerleader in the stands. Often after games they would be involved with the young people on the teams, sometimes with other parents, in a cookout or a pizza party.

David McElhattan cared deeply for those that played on his teams, instilling principles of good sportsmanship over a high winning percentage. The young people, who played on his teams, recall that he went out of his way to know each team member and to see that each was treated fairly, with the poorest player getting time on the field or on the court. He made sure that a girl on a team of mostly boys was treated fairly and with respect. He coined unique and endearing nicknames for many of those on his teams that they will, no doubt, remember all of their lives.

His ties to Clarion University were many. In addition to his father, his mother Mary (Master ’72, ’76), and sister, Brenda Sturtz (’79) are Clarion graduates. Brenda is a long time employee of Clarion University – Venango Campus library. At the time of David’s death his son, Dustin, was a junior pre-med major, a member of the Honors Program with a 4.0 GPA, and was president of the Clarion University Student Senate; and his daughter, Jessica, was a junior honors student at Franklin High School with plans to attend Clarion University.

Donors and others may make additional contributions to the fund at any time. They may be sent to: Clarion University Foundation Inc., Seifert-Mooney Center for Advancement, 840 Wood St., Clarion, Pa. 16214. For additional information telephone 814-393-2572 or e-mail giving@clarion.edu.

All scholarship funds are administered by the Clarion University Foundation, Inc. The Clarion University Foundation, Inc., organized in 1969, is a not-for-profit corporation. The Foundation was formed to promote educational purposes in connection with or at the request of Clarion University. It is the organization designated to receive and manage private sector gifts provided for the support of the activities and programs of the University. Such gifts are generated through contributions from alumni, faculty and staff, business and industry, retirees, and other friends of Clarion University.

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