Thomas E. Colalella Jr. Memorial Technology Scholarship Fund
The Thomas E. Colalella Jr. Memorial Technology Scholarship Fund was established in 2021 in memory of Catherine's father that passed in January 2018.
Mr. Colalella was a huge advocate for education and technology. He was a 1st Sgt in the US Air Force. Mr. Colalella's role in the Air force was intelligence. He was awarded a Presidential medal for discovering that the USSR was using jets with duplicated numbers during the Cold War.
After his military time, Mr. Colalella came home and worked at Pittsburgh Forgings, a steel mill for almost 30 years.
When the steel industry collapsed in Pittsburgh, Mr. Colalella went back to college at the age of 45. Enrolled at the Community College of Beaver County, he worked in the computer labs and on campus until after he graduated with his degree in Computer Information Systems.
Post college graduation, Mr. Colalella was hired by Michael Baker Corporation as a Systems Analyst. He remained with Michael Baker until his retirement. Mr. Colalella also was an instructor at the Community College of Beaver County, teaching Microcomputer Applications, Introduction to Computers, Database Management and several different continuing education classes.
The Aliquippa Diversity Council has partnered with Questeq. In November 2021, they will begin a program at the Aliquippa Jr./Sr. High School to teach students grades 7-12 basic to advanced computer programming skills, networking and computer hardware. Graduating students that complete the program will be awarded a $1000 scholarship if they choose to enroll in a information technology curriculum post graduation.
We are asking for your help and support to make this a success and to help us help our children succeed! Thank you!
