Robert Vetock, a lifelong resident of Johnstown who earned his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Â鶹ÊÓƵ in 1992, has continued his support for Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s student-athletes and his respect for students and alumni who are veterans with a gift of $25,000, which supports his Â鶹ÊÓƵ Alumni Veterans Scholarship for Athletics.
His gift is part of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Impact 150, the university’s $150 million comprehensive campaign.
The largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history, the campaign is named in honor of the university’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2025. The campaign’s public launch took place in August 2025 with $81,236,852—54 percent of the campaign goal—raised from 11,673 donors.
Impact 150 centers around raising funds for healthy students, including supporting students academically and personally; a healthy university, including maintaining Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s commitment to excellence and innovation; and healthy communities, including Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s work to establish a college of osteopathic medicine.
As of December 31, 2025, the campaign’s total was at more than $102 million, including $48 million specifically for Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine.
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Alumni Veterans Scholarship is open to a male and female student who is a member of an Â鶹ÊÓƵ NCAA-recognized athletic team and who has at least a 3.0 grade point average. Preference is given to students from Cambria County.
Vetock served in the Army during the Vietnam era. After his military service, he attended the University of Pittsburgh with the help of the GI Bill and scholarships. He worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania before enrolling at Â鶹ÊÓƵ to complete his master’s degree. Now retired, he worked in a number of positions at the Hiram Andrews Center before becoming a counselor, a position he held from 1991 to 2005.
“This scholarship is meant to honor all Â鶹ÊÓƵ alumni who served in the military prior to, during, or after their time at Â鶹ÊÓƵ,” Vetock said.
“Mr. Vetock’s generosity and his support for students is truly appreciated,” Â鶹ÊÓƵ Vice President for University Advancement Jennifer DeAngelo said. “His scholarship continues to make a positive impact for our students and is also an opportunity to remember and respect members of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ community who served in the armed forces,” she said.
A total of 855 current students at Â鶹ÊÓƵ are veterans or are military affiliated (dependents of veterans); Â鶹ÊÓƵ has one of the largest ROTC programs in the Commonwealth. More than 3,600 Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduates have served in the military, including in leadership roles; Â鶹ÊÓƵ has graduated 14 generals as well as a number of US Navy admirals.
Since its founding in 1875, Â鶹ÊÓƵ has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As Â鶹ÊÓƵ celebrates its 150th anniversary during the 2025–26 academic year, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking toward a future of innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.