(From left to right) Aris Karagiorgakis, Zachary Allamon, and Andy Royston. Karagiorgakis and Royston encouraged Allamon to apply for the scholarship.
LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — Zachary Allamon, a first-generation, third-year physics major at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, has been honored with the PanHellenic Scholarship Award. The financial support received from the scholarship will prove instrumental for his ongoing educational journey, he said.
Presented by the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation, the award recognizes exceptional undergraduate students of Hellenic descent for their outstanding academic achievements and Greek heritage. Allamon, whose Greek roots extend to his grandmother from Rethymno, Crete, was subsequently invited to partake in the Foundation’s Gala Weekend held in Chicago.
This event included cultural traditions and networking prospects, where he joined a diverse cohort of students from esteemed institutions across the nation. Reflecting on the experience, Allamon said, "The gala was different, more formal than what I'm used to. It felt surreal."
At the gala, Allamon learned about the deep-rooted traditions of the Greek Orthodox faith. "People at the event were deeply religious. That was a fascinating cultural insight for me," he said. "We also participated in traditional Greek dances,” he said, explaining how all the scholarship recipients linked arms to dance in a human circle. “It ended up being fun.”
When asked about advice for other students considering applying for scholarships, Allamon’s words were encouraging.
“You shouldn’t sell yourself short when applying for scholarships. Confidence in yourself is important in instilling confidence in a donor about your potential as a student and a future leader in your field.”—Zachary Allamon , physics major, Penn State Fayette
“You shouldn’t sell yourself short when applying for scholarships. Confidence in yourself is important in instilling confidence in a donor about your potential as a student and a future leader in your field," he said.
At Penn State Fayette, 90% of students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about what programs and opportunities Penn State Fayette offers. Visit fayette.psu.edu or call 724-430-4130 and schedule a visit today.
