Paradise Valley Community College’s (PVCC) Physics faculty Dr. Casey Durandet recently created a new endowment – the Dr. William L. "Hank" Mancini STEM Athletic Scholarship – in honor of her late partner and fellow PVCC faculty member, Dr. William "Hank" Mancini. The scholarship supports student-athletes pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and will assist them in receiving the financial assistance necessary to pursue their academic and athletic dreams, while honoring the memory of a beloved educator, mentor, and community advocate.
Dr. Durandet’s initial $15,000 donation serves as a tribute to Dr. Mancini, who was a beloved educator at PVCC for 18 years. His contributions to the college went far beyond the classroom. He helped establish transfer partnerships with universities, enhanced the Science Division’s curriculum, and was heavily involved in outreach activities aimed at fostering student development. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Mancini spent 34 years as a dedicated football official, earning him a place in the Western States Football League (WSFL) and Arizona Football Officials Association (AZFOA) Halls of Fame.
“Hank always did so much. He gave, gave, gave, and it is time for him to be recognized for all the wonderful things he did. He was such a strong advocate for students and the sciences, and he so loved officiating. His impact was enormous,” said Dr. Durandet. To read more about Dr. Mancini’s life and legacy, click here.
The Dr. William L. "Hank" Mancini STEM Athletic Scholarship not only honors Dr. Mancini’s legacy but also provides vital support for student-athletes striving to excel in STEM fields. This scholarship stands as a testament to the lasting impact of education and the power it has to inspire and transform lives at PVCC and beyond.
“Puma Athletics is fortunate to have many faculty advocates on campus, and this type of support highlights that important relationship,” said PVCC’s Athletic Director Christina Hundley. “Dr. Mancini's impact on campus and the Arizona athletics community was evident. In that vein, Dr. Durandet's generous scholarship will assist our STEM student-athletes in their academic endeavors here at PVCC, and will no doubt bolster their ability to accomplish greater success in their futures. Puma Athletics is extremely grateful to those that champion our student-athletes."
Championing STEM and Mentorship
Dr. Durandet is no stranger to supporting students and the STEM community. In 2019, she established the Dr. Casey Durandet - Dr. Millard A. Lee Excellence in STEM Scholarship, focused on helping women pursue STEM majors. Reflecting on her own journey, Dr. Durandet emphasized the importance of mentorship and supporting underrepresented groups in STEM fields. "It is important to have more female representation in physics and engineering. Any way we can help women achieve their goals, I am all for that!
“If it wasn’t for (Lee), I may not be here. He is the one who believed in me and advocated to get me hired at PVCC all those years ago,” Durandet said, simply doing what she was taught and continuing to lead with commitment. “We are all advocates for our students. We only have their best interests at heart. Time and time again, my students show me the potential they have in making this world a better place.”
In 2021, Dr. Durandet also created the James Richard Forsman - Casey M. Durandet K-12 Education Fund to honor her mentor and friend, Adjunct Physics faculty, James Richard Forsman, who inspired her love of physics and teaching when working together at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) near Chicago, IL. Each summer, Dr. Durandet continues her research at Fermilab, where she first met Forsman and began her career in particle physics.
“Dr. Durandet has been a prime example of a faculty member who is passionate and committed to the success of PVCC students. Her generosity will without doubt help students achieve their dreams.” said Mario Marquez, PVCC senior development officer, Office of Strategic Partnerships.
Dr. Durandet’s commitment to education has also earned her national recognition, including the 2021 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
To learn more about PVCC’s STEM program, visit the website. To find out how you can donate to one or any of PVCC’s scholarships, visit www.paradisevalley.edu/osp/give or www.paradisevalley.edu/osp/endowments.