Tri-State Petroleum Honors Founders With Scholarships

WHEELING, W.Va. -- Tri-State Petroleum Corp., a family-owned convenience store operator and wholesale distributor of motor fuels in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, is supporting local students’ educational endeavors by establishing three new scholarship programs in honor of company founders Edward J. and Elizabeth J. Coyne. One scholarship will exclusively benefit employees and the children of employees, while two others establish financial aid programs at two area schools, according to the company.

"Education is the answer to many of the challenges we face in today's economy. Enabling young people to achieve a solid education can put them on the path to a successful career and a better life," Colleen C. McGlinn, CEO of Tri-State Petroleum said in a released statement. "At Tri-State Petroleum, our intention is to pay tribute to our company's founders, and to provide supportive educational opportunities to our employees, to their children, and to other area students."

Each of the scholarship programs is called the Edward J. and Elizabeth J. Coyne Scholarship Fund, but each is intended to benefit a range of different students.

• The Pittsburgh Foundation: A scholarship was established to benefit employees of Tri-State Petroleum and Underwood Limited Partnership and their children. In 2011, the Foundation will award a $1,005 college scholarship for the 2011-12 academic year. Awards are for one year only, but awardees are encouraged to apply in subsequent years.
• The Linsly School: Tri-State Petroleum donated $50,000 to the Wheeling, W.Va., institution to establish a scholarship fund that provides financial aid to applicants in seventh through 12th grade. Applications for these scholarships will be taken in 2011 and the first scholarship will be awarded in the fall of 2011.
• Wheeling Central Catholic High School: Tri-State Petroleum donated $25,000 to the West Virginia Catholic Foundation to establish a scholarship fund for students who desire to attend Wheeling Central Catholic High School. Applications for these scholarships will be taken in 2012 for the first scholarship to be awarded in the fall of 2012.