Joe DiPietro Scholarship

The Joseph A. DiPietro Memorial Scholarship was established in 2003 in memory of respected businessman and longtime Portland Water District Trustee, Joe DiPietro. Joe served on the Portland Water District Board from 1988 to 2003 and owned DiPietro’s Sandwich Shop on Cumberland Avenue in Portland. He was very active in the community and committed to youth, family, and education. When he wasn’t working at his store or representing local residents on the Portland Water District Board of Trustees, he could be found volunteering through the Boys and Girls Club, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, or the Lions Club.

The scholarship will be awarded to an individual in the Portland Water District service area who is pursuing a career that is applicable to the water/wastewater industry, demonstrates financial need, a commitment to the community, and a desire to improve public health and the environment.

Criteria

• Students must live in a community served by PWD (Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Windham, Gorham, Raymond, Cumberland, Falmouth, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, or Standish).
• Students must be pursuing a career that is applicable to the water/wastewater industry (e.g., water/wastewater treatment technology, HVAC, electrical, automation technology, instrumentation, plumbing, pipefitting, fire science, environmental studies, applied sciences, engineering, public administration) and must demonstrate a commitment to PWD’s mission to protect public health, public safety, and the environment.
  • Preference will be given to student(s) that:
    • attend or plan to attend a community college, trade school or an accredited college or university  in PWD’s member communities (University of Southern Maine, University of New England, Southern Maine Community College),
    • are the first in their family to attend college,
    • demonstrate a commitment to the community through volunteer efforts,
    • and show high academic performance.
• Students must demonstrate financial need.
• Funds must be used towards tuition.
• The scholarship will be given on a one-time basis; it is not renewable.

Deadlines

The $1,500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving student. The scholarship committee, a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees, will review applications and award the scholarship in the spring. To apply, students must complete the application by March 31.