Gurgovits donate $100,000 to establish Economics scholarship

Stephen Gurgovits, chairman of FNB Corp. and First National Bank of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Sandy, have donated $100,000 to the Youngstown State University Foundation to establish the Stephen and Sandy Gurgovits Scholarship in Economics. “My degree in economics from YSU prepared me well for a successful career in banking,” said Gurgovits, who graduated from YSU in 1972. “Now it’s my opportunity to provide financial help to other students.” The Gurgovits live in Hermitage, Pa. YSU President Jim Tressel said, “We want to thank Stephen and Sandy for this generous donation and for their continued support of YSU and our students.” Gurgovits was a student at YSU, majoring in Education, when he accepted a position as a teller at an FNB branch. Bank President Peter Mortenson, seeing Gurgovits' potential, hired him full time and offered to help pay Gurgovits’ tuition if he changed his major to Economics. Gurgovits did. And, upon graduation, Gurgovits continued his career at FNB. In 2014, Gurgovits was appointed to the YSU Foundation Board of Trustees. The new scholarship is renewable through the application and selection process for a maximum of two years. Applicants must be full-time junior or senior status with at least a 3.0 grade-point average. Preference will be given to students from Pennsylvania. Applicants must also complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).