The newly established Josette and Bert Evans Behavioral Sciences Scholarship will provide support to students majoring in psychology or human development and family studies who participate in the applied behavior analysis certification course and internship.
The scholarship aims to help address the growing regional demand for trained assistant behavioral analysts. Students benefiting from this fund will gain both academic preparation and practical experience, including internships at Gym-Jam, an organization that offers services for children with autism and their families. Through this training, students are working toward board certification as assistant behavioral analysts, a profession increasingly needed in the community.
“Thanks to the generosity of Josette and Bert Evans, our students have the opportunity to gain both the academic knowledge and practical experience necessary to meet the increasing need for behavioral science professionals,” said Cory Scherer, interim chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill.
The Evanses have a longstanding history of supporting Penn State Schuylkill through philanthropy and workforce development initiatives. They previously established several scholarships and internship funds, including the Josette and Bert Evans Open Doors Scholarship, the Josette and Bert Evans Internship Fund, the Josette and Bert Evans Trustee Scholarship and the Josette and Bert Evans Scholarship. In 2023, they also created the Bert and Josette Evans Internship Fund at Penn State Harrisburg to assist students enrolled in applied behavior analysis programs.
In addition to their philanthropic efforts in education, Bert Evans has held leadership roles in the business community as chairman of Evans Delivery Company, DM Transportation Management Services and West Motor Freight of Pennsylvania. He has contributed to civic and community organizations, serving on the boards of the Schuylkill YMCA, the Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board and the Hawk Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America. His service has been recognized with honors such as the Silver Beaver Award, the Angel Award and the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year Award.
In 2015, Evans received the Penn State Honorary Alumni Award, recognizing his commitment to the University and its students.
Reflecting on their philanthropy, Evans noted the impact scholarship support can have on students’ lives. “It’s always a pleasure for Josette and me to read the comments the scholarship recipients send to us each year,” he said. “You realize what a difference you have made in someone’s life for the better.”
University leaders say the new scholarship will help advance Penn State’s mission to prepare students for careers that benefit their communities.
“With the introduction of the Josette and Bert Evans Behavioral Sciences Scholarship, the Evanses continue their tradition of empowering students to achieve their academic and professional goals while addressing critical workforce needs,” Scherer said.
More information about supporting Penn State students through philanthropy is available at raise.psu.edu.
The scholarship aims to help address the growing regional demand for trained assistant behavioral analysts. Students benefiting from this fund will gain both academic preparation and practical experience, including internships at Gym-Jam, an organization that offers services for children with autism and their families. Through this training, students are working toward board certification as assistant behavioral analysts, a profession increasingly needed in the community.
“Thanks to the generosity of Josette and Bert Evans, our students have the opportunity to gain both the academic knowledge and practical experience necessary to meet the increasing need for behavioral science professionals,” said Cory Scherer, interim chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill.
The Evanses have a longstanding history of supporting Penn State Schuylkill through philanthropy and workforce development initiatives. They previously established several scholarships and internship funds, including the Josette and Bert Evans Open Doors Scholarship, the Josette and Bert Evans Internship Fund, the Josette and Bert Evans Trustee Scholarship and the Josette and Bert Evans Scholarship. In 2023, they also created the Bert and Josette Evans Internship Fund at Penn State Harrisburg to assist students enrolled in applied behavior analysis programs.
In addition to their philanthropic efforts in education, Bert Evans has held leadership roles in the business community as chairman of Evans Delivery Company, DM Transportation Management Services and West Motor Freight of Pennsylvania. He has contributed to civic and community organizations, serving on the boards of the Schuylkill YMCA, the Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board and the Hawk Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America. His service has been recognized with honors such as the Silver Beaver Award, the Angel Award and the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year Award.
In 2015, Evans received the Penn State Honorary Alumni Award, recognizing his commitment to the University and its students.
Reflecting on their philanthropy, Evans noted the impact scholarship support can have on students’ lives. “It’s always a pleasure for Josette and me to read the comments the scholarship recipients send to us each year,” he said. “You realize what a difference you have made in someone’s life for the better.”
University leaders say the new scholarship will help advance Penn State’s mission to prepare students for careers that benefit their communities.
“With the introduction of the Josette and Bert Evans Behavioral Sciences Scholarship, the Evanses continue their tradition of empowering students to achieve their academic and professional goals while addressing critical workforce needs,” Scherer said.
More information about supporting Penn State students through philanthropy is available at raise.psu.edu.