Ruth O'Block Grant's Legacy Continues with Next Generation

Ruth O'Block Grant's impact on the lives of Seton Hill University students continues through The Ruth O'Block Grant Endowed Scholarship Program, which was created in 2018 by Ruth's daughter, Toni Verstandig; son-in-law, Lee Verstandig; and grandson, Grant Verstandig, through the Verstandig Family Foundation.

The Verstandigs created The Ruth O'Block Grant Endowed Scholarship Program at Seton Hill during the university's Centennial to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of Ruth Grant.

Grant Scholars benefit from the mentorship and guidance of exceptional leaders and entrepreneurs, like Ruth Grant, and participate in experiences that will help them hone their leadership skills and prepare them for success in graduate school, their careers and their communities. Each Grant Scholar is paired with

a mentor, who meets with them regularly to provide guidance and help them navigate their paths both during college and after graduation.

Three Grant Scholars – Kathryn Dzurik, David Conely, and Marissa Kostrzycki Martini, graduated from Seton Hill in May and are ready to enter graduate school and the workforce. They join an addtional three Grant Scholars – Jessie Delio, Germaine Uwimpuhwe and Gracie Stynchula – who have graduated since the program was established in 2018.

Dzurik, who earned a degree in Chemistry, was a Grant Scholar for three years. She will begin graduate studies in Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall.

Conely, who earned a degree in Business Administration, was a Grant Scholar for two years. He is currently interning in sales development at U.S. Steel and will return to Seton Hill this fall to pursue his M.B.A. with a management specialization.

Martini, who earned a degree in Business Administration, was a Grant Scholar for one year.

She is currently working at Penn Cable Assembly, a manufacturer of wire leads, cable assemblies and wire harnesses, and plans to pursue further education in logistics and a career in that field.