The Verizon Foundation has awarded $1,000 scholarships to 14 students attending Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities.

The awards are presented annually to students who demonstrate high academic ability and financial need.  This is the seventh year Verizon has presented the scholarships to outstanding State System students.

Recipients of the 2002-03 scholarships and the universities they are attending are Michael K. Zima of Shermansdale, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania; Timothy Whitlock of Brownsville, California University of Pennsylvania; Rohan McEwan of Philadelphia, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania; Brad Odasso of Brookville, Clarion University of Pennsylvania; and Aaron M. West of Milford, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Also, Nathan A. Christy of Leechburg, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania; Michael D. Aul of Kersey, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Kevin P. Mentzer of Linfield, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania; David R. Pastore of Moscow, Pa., Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania; and Michael McArdle of Mansfield, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

Also, Jacob S. Whetstone of Green Lane, Millersville University of Pennsylvania; Derek J. Sollenberger of Orrstown, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania; Michael Fisher of Freedom, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania; and Nicholas M. Rogers of Downingtown, West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

The Verizon Foundation is committed to supporting programs and projects that create innovative e-solutions, help bridge the digital divide, foster basic and computer literacy and help enrich our communities, educate our citizens and create a skilled workforce. The Verizon Foundation looks to forge and maintain partnerships around technology initiatives with local, regional, national and international organizations serving the needs of racial and ethnic communities, people with disabilities, and the economically and socially disadvantaged.

With more than 101,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth.  Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study.  More than 360,000 System alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania.  The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.  The regional centers are part of the Educational Resources Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.