(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA)—In memory of the late firefighter Matthew LeTourneau, representatives of the Captain Matt LeTourneau Memorial Foundation announced yesterday the creation of a new endowment to fund scholarships for qualified part-time or full-time students at Delaware County Community College seeking careers as first responders.
The new scholarships, announced at a golf outing at the Springfield Country Club yesterday, will provide $3,000 for student scholarships over three years starting next year. The Captain Matt LeTourneau Memorial Foundation also has established a $25,000 endowment that will help provide future student scholarships.
“Since the Foundation’s inception in May 2018 following the tragic loss of Matt, our Board has aimed to fulfill his lifelong passion for firefighting and advancing knowledge. We are pleased today to meet our first goal—to carry on his legacy for future generations through education,” said Mary Kury, the treasurer, speaking on behalf of the Captain Matt LeTourneau Memorial Foundation. “As Matt was not only a graduate of Delaware County Community College in 1995, but also an adjunct instructor at the College, we feel establishing this endowment was a natural fit. The endowment will fund two scholarships annually into perpetuity. These were funded by the generosity of many donors, through events and through individual contributors who wished to join us to help honor Matt.”
The scholarships are for students entering the College’s Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic programs. According to the Captain Matt LeTourneau Memorial Foundation website, www.mattl.org, the foundation’s main purpose is to provide scholarship funding for individuals who either cannot afford education or have a desire to pursue a fire science or emergency response management degree. In addition, the Foundation says, it will provide funding in the form of grants to help offset the costs associated with either becoming a county or state certified fire instructor.
Philadelphia Fire Department Captain Matthew LeTourneau, a 1995 graduate of the College and 11-year veteran firefighter, was a beloved and well-respected emergency medical technician/cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructor. He died on January 6, 2018 bravely fighting a house fire in North Philadelphia and was posthumously made a captain. In 2018, the College bestowed its highest alumni honor, the Wong Moss Outstanding Alumni Award, posthumously in recognition of Captain LeTourneau’s selfless service.
Photo Caption: From left, Captain Matt LeTourneau Memorial Foundation Board Member J.J. Bonsall; Janice LeTourneau, Matt’s mother; Michelle Ciano, Memorial Foundation President & Matt’s sister; Mary T. Kury, Treasurer; Pat Gallagher, Vice President; and Mike Hope,Board Member. Not shown, Bill Lavery, Secretary, and Board Member Mark LeTourneau.