About the Fund
The Quaker Valley Education Foundation is an independent, community supported trust and was created by David Nimick late in 2012 to support and offer financial awards to worthy Quaker Valley High School seniors pursuing further education in the STEM areas. He and his wife, June, were the first trustees. By spring of 2015, the first awards were given to four Quaker Valley High School students, totaling $3800.00. In summer of 2016, after inquiring about this new education foundation, Maria Swanson joined as trustee. June Nimick stepped away shortly thereafter. During the summer of 2022, David Nimick stepped down as lead trustee, and Maria Swanson stepped into the very difficult to fill shoes, and Amy McCloskey became a third trustee. Just this past summer of 2024, David resigned as trustee as he neared his 100th birthday.
An annual fundraising campaign is conducted each autumn, and the community supports QVEF generously, with gifts from about 200 donors most recently totaling $55,000. Since the first awards were given, 54 students have received $342,500.00, ranging from $900 to $15,000. In June of 2024, the trustees introduced a new award, The Nimick Award, for QVHS graduates entering their junior year of university, also studying STEM subjects; the trustees were encouraged by the excitement about their majors & probable careers, and dedication shown by these maturing young adults.
Trustees
-
For almost 50 years, David Nimick has encouraged Quaker Valley students to strive for greater learning. In 1978, he founded Friends of Quaker Valley which gave awards to students in grades 5 thru 12, including scholarships for college. He resigned in 2009. Throughout the years, David led Math Club at Edgeworth Elementary School, and motivated students with various number related activities. He is also an avid and gifted needlepoint artist.
In 2014, he began the QVEF to offer awards to determined Quaker Valley High School graduates pursuing further learning in the STEM areas.
-
Amy McCloskey has lived in Sewickley Hills for the past 12 years and has two children who graduated from Quaker Valley. Her daughter, Caitlyn, was a recipient of a QVEF Scholarship, giving her a deep appreciation of the QV community support to education. She currently works as a Director of Alumni Relations in the University of Pittsburgh Business School.
-
Maria Swanson is a 30+ year resident of the Quaker Valley and all four of her children graduated from QV High School, three of whom pursued further education in the STEM areas. While she is a licensed physical therapist, her passion is the QV community, especially supporting our students to be their best selves.
Testimonials from past award winners
“I am deeply grateful for the support provided by the Quaker Valley Education Foundation. Because of their generosity, I was able to access all the resources I needed during my studies, which allowed me to focus on obtaining my engineering degree.”
Issac, Mechanical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
“I used the QVEF funds to buy most of my books and any nursing supplies that I needed in order to be the most successful student. The money I received from QVEF helped me greatly and gave me one less thing to worry about.”
Abi, BCCC Nursing
“With the support of the QVEF scholarship I was able to keep my focus on academics and professional growth throughout college. It allowed me to pursue a rotational co-op program without the burden of financial constraints, which led directly to a full-time job upon graduation. QVEF has opened so many doors for a bright and successful future.”
Nolan, Industrial Engineering, University of Pittsburg
“The funding from the Quaker Valley Education Foundation enabled me to pursue a career in engineering and robotics. The foundation's scholarship helped me with tuition, books, and lab equipment. I am grateful to QVEF for their financial support, so I was able to focus on the degree that I was passionate about.”
Nate, Mechanical Engineering, Grove City College
