Fund will be used to Offset the High Cost of Instruments for Eligible Students Attending Westmoreland County Community College in Pennsylvania
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA (December 12, 2011) – Carl Belli of Greensburg, PA is establishing a scholarship fund to help a non-traditional dental hygiene student in financial need to defray the cost of dental instruments. He is doing so in loving memory of his wife Susan Abby Belli, RDH.
A non-traditional student was exemplified by Susan, a mother of two children who decided to go back to college to become a dental hygienist while she was raising a family. The practicing dental hygienist was tragically killed on July 29, 2011 in a bicycle accident not far from her Greensburg home.
“Susan made a difference in the community. She was a dedicated and wonderful hygienist who was adored by patients and staff,” said her employer Dr. Keith Gjebre. “Needless to say, we can’t really replace her. Her husband Carl and all those who knew her are determined to make something good come out of this tragedy.”
Within a few weeks, Mr. Belli founded the Susan A. “Abby” Belli Endowment Scholarship at Westmoreland County Community College; the school Susan attended and graduated from in order to practice dental hygiene.
“Susan was always an advocate of the less fortunate in our community, especially those who wanted to enter the dental hygiene field,” explained Mr. Belli. “She believed that everyone should have the opportunity to chase their dreams; just as she was able to do”.
The Susan A. “Abby” Belli Endowment Scholarship will be given to a non-traditional, financially challenged student who decided to go back to college and pursue a dental hygiene career as Susan “Abby” did. The student that is selected must be currently enrolled in the dental hygiene program at Westmoreland County Community College, and will be granted the scholarship to offset the high cost of instruments.
Private monetary donations to the scholarship fund may be sent to WCCC Education Fund, c/o Susan A. “Abby” Belli Endowment Scholarship, 145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, PA 15697. Dental and hygiene industry manufacturers interested in making monetary or instrument contributions should contact Debra Woods, Executive Director, of the Education Foundation.
