Recently, two Elizabethtown College alumni established an endowed scholarship that will support students while honoring the memory of their parents. The Joseph A. ’76 and Nancy Z. ’79 DePippo Memorial Scholarship provides need-based financial support to graduates of Kennett High School in Kennett Square, Pa., and Concord High School in Wilmington, Del., who attend Elizabethtown College.
“The generosity of alumni like Joe and Nancy through scholarship support strengthens the future of Elizabethtown College by making an immediate and lasting impact on students,” Elizabethtown College President Betty Rider said. “Scholarships like this not only remove financial barriers, they empower students to discover their calling, prepare for meaningful careers, and lead lives of purpose.”
The scholarship honors Joe and Nancy’s high school alma maters — Kennett High School (Joe, Class of 1972) and Concord High School (Nancy, Class of 1975) — and was established in memory of their parents, August J. and Emily D. DePippo, and Nelson E. and Lucille M. Zinn.
“Nancy and I wanted to honor our parents for their support in giving us a strong start in life through an Elizabethtown College education,” Joe DePippo said. “By setting up a perpetual scholarship for their legacy, we hope to help students who need financial support by giving them a boost so they can access the same transformational Etown education we experienced.”
Joe and Nancy met as students at Etown, where each earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. They remain committed supporters of the College through their philanthropy and on-campus involvement.
Joe received the 2023-24 Educate for Service: Service Through Professional Achievement Award and is a current member of the College’s Board of Trustees. Nancy served on the Board of Trustees from 1990 to 1999 and was also president of the Elizabethtown College Alumni Association from January through December of 1988.
A veteran executive and thought leader at the forefront of the natural, organic, and sustainable food industry, Joe is the co-founder of the boutique food consultancy, Tournant, Inc. Nancy spent the majority of her career working with advertising agencies around the country. After relocating to Brevard, N.C., in 2001, the couple launched and operated Poppies Market until retiring in 2011.
The DePippos are committed to assisting their community through volunteer activities, and they serve on a number of philanthropic boards.
Build Brighter Futures
Elizabethtown College’s “Build Brighter Futures: The Scholarship Campaign for Etown Students” is the most significant scholarship fundraising effort in the institution’s history and aims to raise $40 million to expand access through scholarship support.
Supporting scholarships at Etown ensures future Blue Jays thrive in our relationship-rich environment, advancing Etown’s mission to educate compassionate leaders and changemakers. Build a brighter future by creating a scholarship or high-impact learning fund. Contact Institutional Advancement at ia@etown.edu or 800-877-9658 to learn more or create a scholarship today.