Loretta ScalzittiLoretta Scalzitti was a continuing education student and graduated in August 1983 just before women were officially admitted to Saint Vincent. But her first connection to the College began with Father Alphonse Meier, O.S.B., who assisted with Sunday Mass at Ascension Church in Jeannette. She was influenced by his words, his moral theology and his confidence in life. She did not know it then but it was the Rule of Saint Benedict unfolding and having an impact on who she was and how it would fit into her life.

"Later in my working career I realized women could not achieve what men could without a degree," she said. "A former boss whose ethics and ideals I admired graduated from Saint Vincent Prep and Saint Vincent College. It was through his suggestion that I began taking accounting classes at Saint Vincent. I needed a school that had a value system, and I appreciated the ethics of the Benedictine tradition and the closeness and warmth the Benedictines had with the students."

She called balancing full-time work and family obligations "a challenge, but hard work and Benedictine inspiration helped me along the way."

Upon graduation, her involvement with the College moved to a new role, one of volunteer. As a member of the Alumni Council, Scalzitti has been a consistent volunteer in countless projects, including co-chairing the Annual Fund for two years. She attends numerous events, whether it is the Easter Ball, the Theatre Gala, Homecoming or a Summer Theatre production.

Because she was present on campus so much as a volunteer, she began considering a scholarship for future students and remembers precisely the moment when she decided to follow up on that thought.

"Bill Isler, C'68, spoke at a Development Committee meeting and said, 'We have to treat all of our alumni equally because we never know where our next dollar is coming from. It may be the time to donate is just not right at the moment, but there will come a time when it will be right.' That was the beginning for me."

Scalzitti's father, Amato, grew up in the Abruzzi region of Italy with little, but learned how to share and give to others. He passed these values on to his family.

"He helped me realize the importance of giving," Scalzitti said. "These values were instilled in me and along with the people I met at Saint Vincent, helped me understand who I am and that compassion in life is essential."

She established the Loretta Scalzitti Scholarship in honor of her mother, Zenobia (Noble) Grace Scalzitti, who was an advocate for education.

She was pleased to learn when her scholarship was first awarded. "Receiving a thank you note was a rewarding experience."

"I would encourage anyone with an interest in creating a scholarship to do so. The process is easy."

—James D. Bendel, C’60
james.bendel@stvincent.edu, 724-805-2948