Building a Better Future, One Person at a Time
Press Release Referenced from Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, March 15, 2022
Allentown, Pa., March 15, 2022—Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) announced the establishment of the Andrew Budraitis Foundation Scholarship that will award two $7,500 scholarships annually to recipients majoring in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) field and attending a college in the greater Lehigh Valley Area. The scholarships will support one Lehigh Valley veteran and one non-veteran, both with priority given to those with financial need.
The scholarship is established in memory of Andrew Budraitis, a lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley, and is intended to pay tribute to him and remember his life. “When we lost my dad last November, I wanted to be a part of something that would honor him and pay tribute to the life he lived,” explained Brian Budraitis. “We all thought what better way to do that than to start the Andrew Budraitis Foundation Scholarship. I’m grateful for our partnership with the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and all of the help they have provided us along the way.”
Budraitis served in the United States Army, 82nd Airborne Division until 1981. After being honorably discharged at the end of his term, he worked temporarily at a sod farm before eventually being hired by Air Products and Chemicals. While there, he took night classes at Muhlenberg College, earning his bachelor’s degree within 9 years. His hard work and dedication paid off. He excelled within his career at Air Products, leading to global, senior Director positions within Information Technology.
“My husband Andy was an incredible leader and mentor to others—and a veteran,” explained Alyssa Budraitis. “I saw first-hand, the careers he greatly helped and supported throughout his career in the STEM field. As a non-traditional student, it took him many years at night to get his college education. He valued and encouraged others to get their degree as well.”
“Our family grew up in the Lehigh Valley and spent our lives here. In working with the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and creating a foundation in Andy’s name, it enables us to honor him and give back to our local community and our veterans in a way that is important to us.” Alyssa noted.
A Selection Committee will choose the scholarship recipients each year based on an application process administered by the committee. Two scholarships will be annually awarded to one high school senior graduating from a school within the Lehigh Valley, or any individual who has already graduated from a school within the Lehigh Valley, who plans to attend a two or four-year post-secondary institution.
“We are so pleased that the Budraitis family choose to establish their scholarship fund at the Community Foundation,” said Carrie Krug Nedick, LVCF’s Director of Donors Services. “It’s inspiring to see families like theirs preserve the memory of their loved ones in a way that helps others. It is so fitting that this scholarship will help students by providing that added financial assistance that’s needed to make a college education possible.”
The application period is now open for the 2022 veterans scholarship and closes on April 30, 2022. To learn more about applying for a scholarship or making a donation to the Andrew Budraitis Foundation Scholarship Fund, visit: https://budraitisfoundation.org.
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