ESU Foundation Hosts 17th Annual Scholarship Dinner

Foundation Scholarship Dinner

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on April 22, 2026, No Comments

The East Stroudsburg University Foundation hosted its 17th annual Scholarship Dinner, “Follow Me,” on April 9, 2026, at Terraview at Stroudsmoor Country Inn in Stroudsburg, Pa.

Presented by the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, the annual event gives donors and student recipients an opportunity to connect and celebrate the impact of scholarships. More than 300 guests attended the celebration held during the Foundation’s 40th anniversary year.

Every academic year, hundreds of ESU students benefit from the generosity of Foundation donors. In fiscal year 2024-25, the Foundation awarded 777 annual and endowed scholarships totaling more than $1.2 million, and 26 new scholarships were created. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the Foundation has provided more than $1 million in scholarship support to deserving Warriors.

“To our donors, our sincerest thank you. Your generosity makes these opportunities possible,” said Rich Santoro, executive director of the ESU Foundation. “Because of you, students are able to pursue their goals and move forward with confidence. To our scholarship recipients, we are incredibly proud of you. Your hard work, dedication and determination have brought you to this moment.”

The dinner program featured a panel discussion by scholarship recipients and donors who shared personal stories of supporting and receiving scholarships. Alumni shared their professional journeys after graduation while students expressed their gratitude and hopes for the future.

Those who participated in the panel:

Dynasia Speaks of Royersford, Pa., a graphic design student expected to graduate in 2027, received the Harry and Jeannie Lee Endowed Scholarship, the Margaret A. Rosso Annual Scholarship, and the ESU Suncoast Alumni Chapter Annual Scholarship.

Student-athlete Ashton Blose, a senior exercise science major from Els, N.J., has received multiple scholarships: the Ron Vitkun Family Football Annual Scholarship, the Jeff Shrive Football Annual Scholarship, the James H. and Sarah A. Rhine Family Endowed Scholarship, the Thomas and Deanna Detwiler Football Endowed Scholarship, and the Peg and Jack ’52 Gregory Annual Scholarship. He earned All-PSAC honors and was twice named PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week in 2025.

Dr. Gerard Rozea ’96 M’97, ATC, established the Athletic Training Directors Annual Scholarship and the Dr. Gerard D. Rozea ’96 M’97 ATEP Endowed Scholarship. Rozea is a faculty member and department chairperson for ESU’s Athletic Training Department.

Ray Hamlin, a 1986 ESU graduate, was recognized for his achievements as a men’s basketball student-athlete and attorney. A Rutgers Law School graduate and founding partner of Hunt, Hamlin and Ridley, he received ESU’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 1999. He established the Ray Hamlin ’86 Men’s Basketball Annual Scholarship in 2024.

Master of Ceremonies for the celebration was Rory J. Yanchek ’84, chief executive officer of Best Energy Reduction Technologies. Yanchek and his wife, Diane, established the Rory J. Yanchek ’84 Endowed Scholarship and the Rory J. ’84 Annual Scholarship in 2017.

The program also included a musical theater performance by ESU student Bella Smith and Associate Professor Dr. Brian Hodge.

To see the complete listing of the 2025-2026 scholarships awarded and their student recipients, please visit The ESU Foundation website. To see photos from the event, visit ESU’s Flickr page.