Brakefield Memorial scholarship announced for aspiring veterinarians

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Lynn Brakefield‘s former colleagues remember her passion for animals and dedication to her community.

They also want to honor it.

To pay tribute to Brakefield, Camp Hill-based Landmark Commercial Realty has partnered with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) to announce the creation of the Lynn Brakefield Memorial Scholarship for Veterinary Studies. The scholarship is designed to support and encourage students pursuing a career in veterinary sciences.

“After Lynn’s passing, we wanted to honor her in a way that would represent her spirit of generosity and learning,” said Barb Murdocca, COO of Landmark Commercial Realty. “This scholarship is our homage to a great mentor and friend. We are grateful for TFEC’s support in making our vision a reality. Through this scholarship, we don’t just simply remember Lynn; we carry forward her values and legacy.”

The scholarship will provide financial aid and career support to deserving students in Cumberland and Dauphin counties. The scholarships are reserved for high school students who display an interest in veterinary sciences, stand out in academic achievements, and exhibit a strong dedication to community service.

Headquartered in the Harrisburg area, Landmark focuses on the South-Central Pennsylvania region.

“As active members of the business community, Landmark closely follows the incredible organizations in the Harrisburg region, who dedicate themselves to supporting shared growth and positive community impact,” Murdocca said. “When our office deliberated creating a scholarship to honor a long-time employee, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities immediately stood out as the perfect organization to partner with in this endeavor. Their exceptional professionalism and adept management in coordinating this ambitious philanthropic endeavor enabled us to accomplish our goal effortlessly and efficiently.”

Jennifer Doyle, interim president & CEO of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, explained the ways a for-profit business can establish a fund. 

“One is the way that (Landmark) did it,” said Doyle. “They had money that was pooled from the community and I’m sure the company probably put some money in; it was money from a lot of different sources, and they created this scholarship fund in Lynn’s memory to support students based on things that Lynn loved as a person. 

“While it’s a company setting up a fund, it’s not what we call a corporate scholarship where a company sets up a scholarship fund and the scholarship specifically benefits an employee or an employee’ children, etcetera.”

Doyle said corporate social responsibility initiatives allow a business to be specific about what they’re giving back to charitably. 

“We can be helpful in that process; we can help that company to walk through and meet whatever their charitable goals are,” she said. “In the case of this (scholarship), it was someone who knew one of the team members here from Landmark and reached out and said, ‘Hey, we want to set up a scholarship fund and this is what we want it to look like.’ They came to us with a very, very specific charitable goal in mind.”

The scholarship application period opens each year on March 1, and the awards ceremony will be held in May.

“We wholeheartedly believe in The Foundation for Enhancing Communities and their noble mission to improve the lives of those in need,” said Murdocca. “Landmark Commercial Realty knew that by joining forces, they would guide us with their expertise and their leadership.” 

Doyle noted that one of the reasons people choose to have a scholarship fund at TFEC is due to the company’s partnership with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). 

“We’re one of only 42 partners in Pennsylvania that is a partner to this program that PHEAA runs called PATH, which maximizes the scholarship award they get from a fund here by potentially doubling it, dollar for dollar, up to $2,500,” said Doyle. “When a donor has their scholarship fund here, they become eligible to be considered, the students who win that scholarship are eligible to be considered, to match the money at no cost to anyone and at the administrative work of TFEC as a community foundation.”

Added Murdocca, “We would strongly recommend other businesses who are considering creating a non-profit arm or scholarship to consider working with this remarkable organization.”