The scholarship honors the memory of the late Philadelphia Fire Department Captain Matthew LeTourneau
PHILADELPHIA – In partnership with the Captain Matt LeTourneau Memorial Foundation, Community College of Philadelphia has announced the creation of the Captain Matt LeTourneau Fire Science Scholarship. The scholarship will support College students pursuing a degree in Fire Science.
An 11-year veteran firefighter in Philadelphia, Captain LeTourneau was beloved and well-respected in his field. He died on Jan. 6, 2018, bravely fighting a house fire in North Philadelphia. He was posthumously made a captain.
“Community College of Philadelphia’s Fire Science program aligns directly with the Social Science department’s emphasis on public service and social justice,” said Dr. Faye Allard, department head of Social Science. “What could be more of an embodiment of public service than those who literally put themselves in harm’s way to help others? In short, the Fire Science program offers rigorous practical and academic training to get students on the pathways of becoming the next generation of public safety stewards in the Philadelphia region, from which we all benefit.”
The new annual scholarship will provide $500 for one student scholarship every year beginning in Jan. 2022. The Captain Matt LeTourneau Memorial Foundation also has established a $16,000 endowment that will help provide future student scholarships. This scholarship endowment is funded by the generosity of various donors, through events and individual contributions in honor of Captain LeTourneau.
“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,” said Mary T. Kury, the Captain Matt LeTourneau Memorial Foundation treasurer. “In 2020, we established an endowed scholarship at Matt’s alma mater, Delaware County Community College. Today we are pleased to do this at Community College of Philadelphia as well to continue our mission – to carry on his legacy for future generations through education.”
“Matt provided dedicated service to the residents of Philadelphia after graduating from the Philadelphia Fire Academy (Class 183) in January 2007,” said Kury. “First as a firefighter in Center City (E43), then in West Philadelphia (E57), as well as special detail for Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to Philadelphia (L77), before his promotion to officer in North Philadelphia (E45). As Matt was an eleven-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department, we feel establishing this endowment at Community College of Philadelphia is a natural fit.”
“Having known Matt personally, I am humbled and proud to be able to present this prestigious endowed scholarship to the deserving students of the Fire Science program today and well into the future,” said Carl Randolph, the Fire Science program coordinator at Community College of Philadelphia.