Don earned a Bronze Star and the Soldier's Medal during World War II, following an outstanding SCASD and Penn State athletic career. After an army accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, he battled through months of physical therapy to walk again with the aid of braces and crutches. Don went on to volunteer as a coach for the local baseball and basketball teams, have a successful career at Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory, build a family, and dedicate time to the community as a chairman of the Police Civil Service Commission. Contributions from hundreds of friends and family have established this fund in honor of this man with a "mighty spirit.” Scholarships are awarded to State College High School seniors who show outstanding character, integrity, motivation, self-discipline, and leadership.