Vivetta G. Petronio Scholarship Fund Grant

Vivetta G. Petronio Scholarship Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Pittsburgh Foundation
Amount: US $4,000
Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Summary

The Vivetta G. Petronio Scholarship Fund, established by Gail Gerono at The Pittsburgh Foundation, honors Professor Vivetta G. Petronio, a French professor at Mercyhurst University. This fund supports full-time undergraduate students at Mercyhurst who plan to study abroad in French-speaking countries during their sophomore, junior, or senior years. The scholarship emphasizes financial need and academic excellence, requiring a minimum GPA of 3.0 to ensure that deserving students can immerse themselves in the French language and culture.

Overview

Pittsburgh Foundation The The Pittsburgh Foundation was founded in 1945 by Charles McKinley, a civic leader who envisioned a permanent charitable institution that could pool resources from individuals, families, and organizations to address the evolving needs of the Pittsburgh region. His founding vision emphasized local stewardship, donor intent, and long-term community impact, creating a flexible philanthropic model that could respond to both immediate challenges and future opportunities. Today, the Foundation continues to honor McKinley’s legacy by strengthening communities through grantmaking, civic leadership, and partnerships that promote equity, opportunity, and quality of life across southwestern Pennsylvania. Vivetta G. Petronio Scholarship Fund The Vivetta G. Petronio Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation by Gail Gerono in honor of honor of Vivetta G. Petronio, a French professor at Mercyhurst University who had a positive impact on Gail’s college experience and her life. In honor of Professor Petronio, this fund will provide scholarships for full-time students enrolled at Mercyhurst University who are studying abroad in their sophomore, junior or senior year.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Attend Mercyhurst University as a full-time undergraduate student as a rising sophomore, junior or senior.Have plans to study abroad in a country where French is the main or secondary language (not including Canadian French) and immerse themselves in the language through a university sanctioned program. The program may be for university credit, an internship, self-directed/designed language immersion, etc. Programs may be any length of time (four-week minimum) during the up and coming academic year and must be billed through the university.Demonstrate financial need.Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.