John and Shirley Aichele
This scholarship was established by Mr. John “Mac” Aichele and Mrs. Shirley Aichele and serves as a perpetual tribute to their dedication to education and the opportunities that it provides to young people.
For decades, Mac and Shirley were professionally engaged in the education of young people in Southcentral Pennsylvania. Following his graduation from Shippensburg State Teachers College in 1943, Mac first taught at Carlisle High School but soon returned to his alma mater, the Milton Hershey School, in Hershey, PA. Over forty years later, Mac retired as President of the Milton Hershey School, having served in various positions, both in and out of the classroom. Mac also graduated from Hershey Junior College in 1941. Later, in 1949, he furthered his education by earning a Master’s degree in business education from Pennsylvania State University.
Shirley taught in the Harrisburg City School District for ten years. She subsequently served the West Shore School District as an elementary guidance counselor for another 10 years. Post completion of her undergraduate degree at Lebanon Valley College, Shirley earned two Master’s degrees from Shippensburg State College. The first, earned in 1966, was in the field of education, followed by a counseling degree in 1968.
Mac and Shirley compiled an admirable record of public service. There is hardly an organization in the Greater Harrisburg region that has not, in one way or another, benefited from the Aichele's involvement. Likewise, their ties to their Shippensburg alma mater have remained strong. Mac became a member of the Shippensburg University Foundation's Board of Directors in 1983 and, after years of increasing involvement, was elected President of the Board in 1995. In recognition of their service, Shippensburg University presented the Aicheles with the Exceptional Service Award in 2005.
Scholarships associated with John and Shirley Aichele