PHOTO PROVIDED The Penn College Foundation’s recent 40th Annual Golf Classic raised $111,000 for student scholarships. The earnings will be added to the Penn College Foundation Golf Classic Scholarship Fund, which exceeds $2.6 million. The Williamsport Country Club hosted the event.

WILLIAMSPORT — The Penn College Foundation’s 40th Annual Golf Classic, held June 29 at the Williamsport Country Club, raised $111,000 for student scholarships.

The earnings will be added to the Penn College Foundation Golf Classic Scholarship Fund, which exceeds $2.6 million. Proceeds from the Golf Classic and accumulated investment income created the endowed scholarship fund, one of the foundation’s largest.

“The significance of scholarship funding cannot be overstated. It plays a critical role in easing the financial burden on our students who are receiving an applied technology education that is coveted by industry,” said Kyle A. Smith, vice president for college relations. “Supporters of the Golf Classic are part of the legacy that has built a key source of scholarship aid.”

At a luncheon prior to the best-ball tournament, participants watched a video message from Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee. The former PGA Tour player was scheduled to attend the tournament but had to cancel due to his responsibilities covering the Travelers Championship. Weather and the need for a sudden-death playoff pushed the conclusion of the Travelers Championship to the day of the Golf Classic.

In his remarks, Chamblee expressed regret for his absence and congratulated the college on 40 years of conducting the event. “Four decades you have been coming together philanthropically to fund scholarships for hard-working students on their career paths, fulfilling critical roles in our economy. That is no small achievement,” he shared. Chamblee also said he hopes to be at a future Golf Classic.

“While it’s unfortunate Brandel couldn’t attend, we still had a very successful tournament that will have lasting benefits for students,” Smith said. “We are grateful for the backing of our community and corporate partners who make the Golf Classic an annual highlight.”

During a dinner for players and their guests at the college’s Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, Smith gave special recognition to three companies that have consistently supported the Golf Classic: Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships (40 years), Little League International (20 years) and Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co., Inc. (10 years).

Title sponsor for the 40th Annual Golf Classic was Compass Group North America. A hospitality leader, the company is a Penn College Corporate Tomorrow Maker and a member of the Visionary Society ($100,000-$499,999) on the college’s Donor Wall. Through Compass Group, dozens of Penn College’s business and hospitality students gain invaluable hands-on experience working at the Kentucky Derby each year.

Other event sponsors were:

— Tournament sponsor: Hudock Capital Group LLC.

— Pro sponsors: Fisher Mining Co., Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., M&S Conversion, The Hartman Agency and TurnKey Electric Inc.

— Hospitality sponsors: Allison Crane & Rigging, Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management, FCCB, Ken and Kristie Healy Foundation, The Liberty Group and Young Industries Inc.

— Gift sponsors: Eastern Alliance Insurance Group; Real Estate Excel, A Girio Realty Co.; Susquehanna Trailways; Wayne Twp. Landfill; and Woodlands Bank.

— Closest-to-the-pin awards: Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, Fairfield Auto Group and Mark and Connie Sitler.

Penn College Foundation Golf Classic Committee members coordinating this year’s event were Linda Alberts, Aubrey Alexander, Larry Allison, Jr., John Confer, George Girio, Ken Healy, Allen Kiessling, Ray Mattie, Rick Quigley, Paul Rooney and Mark Sitler.

For more about giving opportunities at Penn College, call 570-320-8020 or visit www.pct.edu/give.

For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education and a special mission affiliate of Penn State, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.