The Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA) has awarded college scholarships to students of correctional employees. According to ASCA officials, they received more than 900 applications this year, from which 32 students were chosen to receive funds.
Two Pennsylvania students were among the 32 selected students:
Rachel Idacavage – daughter of now-retired SCI Frackville Corrections Counselor Albert Idacavage – received $1,500 toward her studies in criminal justice at Shippensburg University. She is pictured here with her father (left) and Deputy Superintendent Mike Gourley.
Morgan Robinette, daughter of SCI Rockview Clerical Supervisor Jennifer (far left) and Plumbing Tradesman Instructor Eric Robinette (far right), received $1,500 toward her biochemistry studies at Eastern University/Templeton Honors College. Morgan and her parents are joined by SCI Rockview Superintendent Mark Garman.
Susan M. Hunter was the former chief of the prisons division of the National Institute of Corrections. She died in 2003. Hunter was a tremendous influence in the field of corrections, according to ASCA officials. She was a seasoned administrator, a mentor to many corrections professionals, and an advocate for change. The scholarship was named in Hunter's honor as a lasting tribute to her commitment, insight, energy and enthusiasm for the field of corrections.
Scholarships are awarded to the son or daughter of a corrections employee in the amount of $1,000 for undergraduate studies and $1,500 for graduate studies and $750 for individuals who in a prior year had received either a $1,000 or $1,500 scholarship. The student must be enrolled full-time and graduate students' field of study must be corrections or criminal justice at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university, or an accredited graduate program.
The Association of State Correctional Administrators formed in 1970 and is dedicated to improving correctional services and practices by promoting and facilitating the exchange of ideas and philosophies at the top administrative level of correctional planning and policy-making. Individuals can learn more about ASCA and this scholarship by visiting www.asca.net.