Joe DiPietro Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Portland Water District

Overview
The Joseph A. DiPietro Memorial Scholarship was created in 2003 to honor Joe DiPietro, a well-known Portland businessman and longtime Portland Water District (PWD) trustee. Joe served on the PWD Board from 1988 until 2003 and owned DiPietro’s Sandwich Shop on Cumberland Avenue in Portland. Deeply involved in his community, he supported youth, families, and education and volunteered with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, and the Lions Club.

Purpose
This scholarship supports a student who lives within the Portland Water District service area and is preparing for a career related to the water/wastewater field. Candidates should show financial need, community involvement, and a commitment to improving public health and protecting the environment.

Who is eligible
- Residence: Applicants must live in a community served by PWD: Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Windham, Gorham, Raymond, Cumberland, Falmouth, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, or Standish.
- Education level: Open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
- Fields of study/careers: Applicants should be pursuing programs relevant to the water/wastewater sector, for example: water/wastewater treatment technology; HVAC; electrical; automation technology; instrumentation; plumbing; pipefitting; fire science; environmental studies; applied sciences; engineering; or public administration.
- Mission alignment: Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to PWD’s mission of protecting public health, safety, and the environment.

Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Attend or plan to attend a community college, trade school, or an accredited college in Maine,
- Are the first in their family to attend college,
- Demonstrate community commitment through volunteer work,
- Have strong academic achievement, and
- Show financial need.

Award details and restrictions
- Amount: $1,500.
- Frequency: Awarded once annually; the scholarship is a one-time award and is not renewable.
- Use of funds: Scholarship money must be applied to tuition.

Application and deadline
- The PWD scholarship committee (a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees) reviews applications and selects the recipient each spring.
- To be considered, applications must be submitted by March 31.

Questions
Contact the Portland Water District public relations office for more information or any application questions.