Posted on Friday, October 9, 2026
Crystal VanHart, a pre-nursing major and participant in Westminster College’s TRIO Scholars Program, was awarded a $750 scholarship from the Pennsylvania Association of TRIO programs (PA TRIO).
A resident of Warren, Pa., and a graduate of Tidioute Community Charter School, VanHart is one of 13 students awarded the scholarship. Six are awarded in the college category and six are awarded in the high school/ precollege category.
“Crystal was an obvious choice to nominate for this scholarship. Her character, resiliency, and effort have brought her so far already,” said Bethany Wentz, assistant director of the TRIO Scholars Program and VanHart’s TRIO adviser. “We are excited to see her continue to learn and shine at Westminster.”
In addition to regularly participating in the TRIO program, VanHart is also a dean’s list student and a member of Westminster’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) and the Campus Programming Council, which plans and executes student activities.
Following graduation and passing the nursing board exams, VanHart hopes to become a neonatal intensive care unit nurse.
PA TRIO’s mission is to engage Pennsylvania TRIO program personnel in professional and leadership development, legislative affairs, increased communication, collaboration and support of student success and lifelong learning. Scholarships are given to selected college students who are nominated by their institution’s TRIO programs to assist with the cost of tuition and other expenses.
Westminster’s federally funded TRIO program provides services and resources to first-generation, income-eligible students and those with disabilities to ensure they successfully navigate their college education. TRIO scholars have access to academic tutoring, academic success and wellness coaching to promote classroom achievement and personal wellbeing, support for learning and other disabilities, and career and college mentoring.
To learn more about Westminster’s TRIO program, please contact Erik Austin, director, at austined@westminster.edu or visit www.westminster.edu/trio.
