"This endowment will help students who are facing financial barriers achieve their dream of higher education and pursue their desired career," said Maida Connor, CFRE, executive director of the HACC Foundation and Resource Development. "This is a wonderful way to honor Dvorchak's commitment to lifelong learning and service to the community, particularly his devotion to the youth in our community."
Nolt agrees. "This endowment recognizes a lifetime of significant achievements for Dennis, both as president of Murray Insurance and as an outstanding contributor to the Lancaster community. He was a highly regarded person and incredible business partner who understood the importance of giving back to his community."
Throughout his life, Dvorchak applied his polished leadership style and professional skills in furthering the growth and development of many professional and community-related organizations. He was past president of the American Business Club and the Keystone Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors. He served as board president for Camp Cadet of Lancaster County and as a board member for Manheim Township's Libraries. He was president of Hempfield High School Stadium Improvement Corporation and was instrumental in building the new field house. He was president of Murray Insurance from 1982 through 2003 and had worked for the company since 1970.
"Dennis would be truly humbled by the generosity of this endowment," said Richard Rankin, president and chief executive officer at Murray Insurance. "It is wonderful to know that through annual scholarships from the endowment, he will continue to keep giving to the people in the community for which he cared so much."
According to Rankin, the endowment is the second successful partnering between Murray Insurance and HACC in recent months. The two organizations have recently helped to establish an Introduction to Property and Liability Insurance course at the Lancaster Campus to provide the basic concepts such as how an insurance policy works and how an insurance company determines premiums. The Insurance Institute of America in Malvern, Chester County, developed the curriculum.
"Dennis would be pleased at the establishment of this course," said Rankin. "He had enjoyed teaching a similar insurance course at the Penn State University some years ago."
Dave and Doug Dvorchak, sons of Dennis Dvorchak and employees of Murray Insurance both agree that, "Dennis would be very pleased to know that he will be remembered through this endowment as an insurance professional."
Friends, family and business associates of Dvorchak are encouraged to contribute to the endowment by contacting the HACC Foundation Office, telephone 717.780.2583.
Consideration for scholarships from the endowment is given to students who are enrolled full-time at HACC with an unmet financial need. Preference is given to financially needy students residing in Lancaster County pursuing a career in public service through majors in the areas of elementary and secondary education, social service, criminal justice, fire science, early childhood education, nursing and gerontology. Students in other fields of study are also encouraged to apply. Scholarship monies may be applied to tuition, fees, books, Lancaster Campus childcare expenses or related educational program expenses such as uniforms or equipment required for nursing and health career students.
HACC serves nearly 16 thousand degree-seeking students in a ten county region in Central Pennsylvania. In addition, the college serves more than 50 thousand students in its workforce development and community education programs. The college operates campuses in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and Gettysburg as well as a number of off-campus community sites. As Central Pennsylvania's Community College, HACC provides degree and diploma programs in more than 150 fields.
Murray Insurance Associates, Inc., an employee-owned company, was founded in 1930 and has grown to become a leading Central Pennsylvania independent insurance agent and broker. Murray offers personal and commercial insurance, claims services, employee benefits, risk management programs, and specialty services and bonding for contractors. Murray represents more than twenty major insurance companies and has offices in Lancaster, Quarryville, and the Harrisburg area.