An Erie man who died in 2012 left his entire estate – valued at more than $1.1 million – to Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The money will create new scholarships in the college’s School of Engineering.
Frank S. Palkovic earned an associate degree in drafting design and technology at Penn State Behrend in 1968. He went on to earn a bachelor of science in engineering at Penn State Harrisburg.
Palkovic worked as a civil engineer, first at PRC Engineering and later at Consoer Townsend Envirodyne. After retiring, he moved to Port St. Lucie, Fla. He died on Oct. 12, 2012.
Palkovic asked that his entire estate be used to support the engineering programs at Penn State Behrend. His gift will provide more than 50 new trustee scholarships every year.
“Trustee scholarships are awarded to students who have the highest financial need,” said Ralph Ford, director of the School of Engineering and associate dean for industry and external relations. “We are grateful to Mr. Palkovic for his generosity, which will make an engineering education accessible for many qualified students."